EFFECT OF DISTRIBUTION OF MAGNESIUM STEARATE ON PENETRATION OF A TABLET BY WATER

Magnesium carbonate powder and granules were compressed and the tablets characterized by their permeability to air and penetration by liquids. To the same materials, magnesium stearate was added, its distribution being varied by varying its concentration, the size of the base material and the method of mixing. The inhibition of penetration by liquids is roughly proportional to the concentration of magnesium stearate and very susceptible to the method of mixing. The influence of granule size on its distribution was seen mainly as a change in the uniformity of penetration. 1969 Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain