The technological aspects of the development and production of microtablets (literature review)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29296/25419218-2023-07-01
Issue: 
7
Year: 
2023

A.S. Svetozarov, R.A. Abramovich, A.N. Vorobyev, O.G. Potanina
Research and Production site of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine of the Medical Research and Educational Center of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Lomonosovsky Ave., 27 b. 10, Moscow, 119192, Russian Federation

The article presents the specifics of the development and production of microtablets in experiment. Microtablets, or mini-tablets, are tablets with a diameter of 1 to 4 millimeters. Tablets up to 4 mm in diameter are rarely distinguished as a separate type in the regulatory documentation. However, they have a number of advantages. The small size of individual particles allows the usage of microtablets in cases of violation of the swallowing process. The great variability in dosing allows in theory the use of this form in personalized medicine. With the help of microtablets it is possible to achieve a reliable physical separation of active pharmaceutical ingredients in combined preparations. However, their dimensions also require attention to the technological process. The small size of the matrix orifices affects the requirements for the physical and technological properties of the tableting mass and for the settings of the tablet press, necessary to achieve mass uniformity and dosing of this type of tablets. For small orifices in the tablet press matrix, the effect of powder suction due to the movement of the lower punch plays an important role, depending on the fractional composition of the tableting mass and the speed of rotation of the press rotor. Also, the production process involves the use of specialized tooling of various types of design for a tablet press. Microtablets, like tablets of regular diameter, can provide modified release of drugs, however, due to their size, both their technology and dissolution in the organism must be taken into account. The article also mentions the features of quality control of tablets of this type, and critically important technological parameters.
Keywords: 
microtablets
mini-tablets
pharmaceutical technology
tableting
personalized medicine.
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