OPTIMIZATION OF TABLET FORMULATIONS BASED ON STARCH LACTOSE GRANULATIONS FOR USE IN TROPICAL COUNTRIES

Several granulations consisting of alpha-lactose monohydrate 200 mesh and native starch (corn, potato, rice or tapioca) were prepared. The influence of starch concentration, storage temperature and relative humidity on the physical properties of the tablets prepared from these granulations was estimated. Two granulations, which resulted in tablets with adequate initial values of crushing strength and disintegration time and with an acceptable physical stability were selected as standard granulations. The selected standard granulations were evaluated by incorporating a drug (diazepam, 2 mg or mebendazole, 100 mg). The tablet properties were determined one day after preparation. The crushing strength, the disintegration time and the microbiological quality were also measured after storage under tropical conditions. Both selected formulations proved to be adequate for the preparation of tablets by wet granulation, suitable for use in tropical countries.