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How can small changes in a tablet’s manufacturing alter its absorption?
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Small changes in a tablet’s manufacturing can significantly alter how a drug is absorbed by the body. Because tablets are composed of active ingredients mixed with various excipients, adjustments to these components or the physical structure of the tablet directly impact dissolution and release rates.12
Key manufacturing factors that influence absorption include:
- Coatings: Applying an enteric coating prevents a tablet from dissolving in the acidic stomach, delaying absorption until it reaches the small intestine. Conversely, lipid or polymer coatings on beads or granules can be varied in thickness to control the speed of drug release.12
- Matrix Composition: Embedding a drug into a hydrophilic or inert plastic matrix allows for sustained release. As the matrix hydrates or passes through the gastrointestinal tract, the drug leaches out at a controlled pace.1
- Binding and Compression: The use of specific binding agents and the pressure applied during compression affect how quickly a tablet breaks apart and dissolves.12
- Ion Exchange: Adsorbing drugs onto ion exchange resins allows for a slow, steady release as the resin travels through the digestive system.1