Differences in Characteristics of Pellets Prepared by Different Pelletization Methods

Pellets are currently a very popular dosage form for oral application. They can be prepared by several pelletization techniques. Extrusion spheronization, commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry, and modern agglomeration in a rotoprocessor were the methods chosen for pellet preparation in our study. Theophylline (in 10% to 65% concentration) was the model drug, lactose monohydrate was used as filler, microcrystalline cellulose Avicel® PH 101 was thespheronization enhancer, and the wetting agent was purified water. Both techniques led to the formation of pellets of appropriate shape and mechanical properties. Pellets of a higher density, hardness, lower friability, and slightly slower dissolution profiles were obtained by extrusion spheronization. This method of pelletization also led to production of particles with narrower size distribution and bigger yield of pellets with the requested size.