The physical characteristics of lyophilized tablets containing a model drug in different chemical forms and concentrations.

Orodispersible tablets, usually prepared using freeze-drying method, are becoming a popular drug formulation for patients who have difficulties swallowing solid dosage forms. The influence of drug solubility and concentration on the physical characteristics of lyophilized tablets composed of mannitol and gelatin was investigated. Phenobarbital and phenobarbital sodium were studied as model drugs. The tablets were analyzed for mechanical strength using a new method employing Instron, a material testing apparatus. For tablets containing phenobarbital in the form of sodium salt, better mechanical strength was demonstrated than for tablets prepared with water insoluble phenobarbital--acid form. Besides, the mechanical characteristics of the tablets indicate that plasticity and porosity were reduced when sodium phenobarbital was incorporated at a higher dose. Lyophilized tablets were not hygroscopic and only a small increase of tablet mass by 1% and 3% was observed after 4 weeks of storage at 40% and 60% RH, respectively. All formulations disintegrated in seconds in water, at a temperature of 37 degrees C.