Quantifying the effect of glidant on the compaction and tableting properties of paracetamol granules

Glidants play a vital role in tablet formulation. This study aimed to examine the impact of glidants on the compaction and tableting properties of paracetamol granules prepared by wet granulation. Three formulations of paracetamol granules were prepared to consist of either talc, colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD) or a combination of both in equal proportion (1:1) as glidants added extragranularly. The granules were characterised by measuring the particle size, angle of repose, bulk and tapped densities, true densities, and moisture content. Compaction studies on the granules were carried out using the Heckel, Kawakita, Walker, and compressibility-tabletability-compactibility (CTC) models. Tablets were prepared from the granules for each formulation and evaluated according to USP requirements. The results of the granule analysis revealed that granule properties were similar across the formulations irrespective of the type of glidant used. Compaction studies revealed that talc granules exhibited a greater degree of plasticity and compressibility compared to the other formulations. However, CSD granules and granules containing the two glidants in equal proportion were found to have better compactibility and tabletability, resulting in tablets with relatively better properties. This study has underscored the impact of glidants on the compaction and tableting properties of paracetamol granules.