Drug release from compacted single inert matrix agglomerates

The effect of compaction on the drug release from single, sodium chloride loaded, microcrystalline cellulose agglomerates of different porosities was investigated in this study. The drug release from uncompacted agglomerates and from agglomerates regained from tablets compacted at a range of different compaction pressures was monitored measuring the conductivity of the dissolution medium in a recirculation flow-through system. The drug release profiles were described using the mean dissolution time (MDT), the variation of dissolution time (VDT) and the relative dispersion coefficient (RD). It was found that depending on physical structure changes of the matrix, the drug release rate of compacted agglomerates could be enhanced or retarded in comparison with uncompacted agglomerates. The retardation is suggested to be due to a densification of the matrix and the enhancement due to a crack formation in the external surface of the matrix.