Pharmaceutical evaluation of multipurpose excipients for direct compressed tablet manufacture: comparisons of the capabilities of multipurpose excipients with those in general use.

Recently, a novel type of multipurpose excipient (MPE) with high binding characteristics and high fluidity has been developed. In this study, the capabilities of MPEs (Ludipress and Microcelac) were compared with those of excipients in general use. Also, the effects on powder and tableting characteristics of the physical properties and contents of active ingredients were examined in tablets prepared with these MPEs by the direct compression method. Multipurpose excipients mixed with adjuvants such as fillers, binders, lubricants, disintegrants, and the like show superior fluidity and compressibility. Tablets containing very small amounts of highly active ingredients with little dispersion were prepared. However, with increases in active ingredient content, each of the physical properties was affected strongly by the properties of the active ingredient. Tablets with appropriate hardness and disintegration characteristics could be prepared by mixing of different types of MPEs.