THE EFFECTS OF INTERACTING VARIABLES ON THE TENSILE-STRENGTH, DISINTEGRATION AND DISSOLUTION OF OXYTETRACYCLINE-LACTOSE TABLETS

A method is described for analyzing the separate and combined effects of particle size (D), percentage of lactose (P) and temperature (U), on the tensile strength, distintegration and dissolution (t100) times of physically mixed and formulated oxytetracycline-lactose tablets. U has the greatest effect on tensile strength, D has the greatest effect on disintegration, and P on dissolution time. For the variables in combination, the orders of the effects on tensile strength are P .times. U > D .times. P > D .times. U for the physically mixed tablets and D .times. P > D .times. U > P .times. U for the formulated ones; the orders of the effects on disintegration and dissolution are D .times. P > D .times. U .ltoreq. P .times. U for both types. Explanations are offered for the results in terms of the mechanisms involved in the formation, disintegration and dissolution of tablets.