Calcium phosphates in pharmaceutical tableting. 1. Physico-pharmaceutical properties.

Ten commercially available calcium phosphates used for direct tableting were evaluated. The particle size distributions, powder properties, sorption isotherms and pH values of aqueous slurries were compared. All samples showed good or at least sufficient flowability. Scanning electron micrographs illustrated the different kinds of manufacturing and gave hints on their expectable behaviour under compaction pressure. The sorption isotherms of identical chemical substances, which had been manufactured by different methods, differed strongly. This can be related to their specific surface areas. Most of the hydroxylapatites have large surface areas and can absorb up to more than 15% water at 93% relative humidity. Dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate was non-hygroscopic and absorbed less than 1% water. With the exception of monobasic calcium phosphate monohydrate all calcium phosphates behaved quite neutral in water. Monobasic calcium phosphate monohydrate can be regarded as a solid acid. Although the calcium phosphates are usually stable substances, the role of crystal water in the case of dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate and monobasic calcium phosphate monohydrate is problematic due to possible interactions with active ingredients.