A novel method for predicting disintegration time in the mouth of rapidly disintegrating tablet by compaction analysis using TabAll

A tableting process analyzer (TabAll) was used to predict disintegration time in the mouth of rapidly disintegrating tablet. Analyzer profiles recorded upper punch displacement and die wall force encountered during tablet processing. Changes in the mixing ratio of spherical sugar granules and microcrystalline cellulose or lactose affected upper punch displacement and die wall force profiles. Analysis of the compaction process revealed a strong association between disintegration time in the mouth and stationary time, relaxation time of upper punch displacement, and relaxation time of die wall force; disintegration time in the mouth decreased as the three parameters increased. Thus, analysis of the compaction process is useful for predicting disintegration time in the mouth of rapidly disintegrating tablet, which can assist the formulation of new rapidly disintegrating tablets.     

Pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen from rapidly disintegrating compressed tablet prepared using microcrystalline cellulose (PH-M-06) and spherical sugar granules

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the bioavailability of a drug from rapidly disintegrating tablets prepared using fine spherical crystalline cellulose (PH-M-06) and spherical sugar granules (Nonpareil, NP). Rapidly disintegrating tablets containing acetaminophen as the model drug in combination with a mixture of NP-108 (purified n-mannitol) and PH-M-06 were prepared. Plasma concentration profiles and pharmacokinetic parameters of acetaminophen in rabbits were investigated after oral administration of the prepared tablets. No significant difference in Cmax and AUC(0-infinity) of acetaminophen between rapidly disintegrating tablets and conventional tablets was observed after direct administration of these tablets into the stomach of rabbits. However, tmax (15 min) of acetaminophen from rapidly disintegrating tablets was significantly (p<0.05) shorter than that from conventional tablets (130 min). The same tmax was observed for rapidly disintegrating tablets and solution. When suitable excipients such as fine spherical microcrystalline cellulose (PH-M series) and spherical sugar granules (NP series) were used, rapidly disintegrating tablets could be prepared by the conventional direct compression method. According to the results of moment analysis, the mean residence time (MRT) obtained between both rapidly disintegrating and conventional tablets indicates that the mean absorption time (MAT) from these tablets is approximately 60 and 90 min, respectively. This difference in MAT between the two tablets may be caused by the difference in the sum of the mean dissolution time (MDT) and the mean disintegration time (MDIT) of these tablets. Rapidly disintegrating tablets allow rapid absorption of the drug compared with conventional tablets.     

Preparation and evaluation of tablets rapidly disintegrating in saliva containing bitter-taste-masked granules by the compression method.

The aim of this study was to prepare, using taste-masked granules, tablets which can rapidly disintegrate in saliva (rapidly disintegrating tablet), of drugs with bitter taste (pirenzepine HCl or oxybutynin HCl). The taste-masked granules were prepared using aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymers (Eudragit E-100) by the extrusion method. None of the drugs dissolved from the granules (% of dissolved, < 5%) even at 480 min at pH 6.8 in the dissolution test. However, the drugs dissolved rapidly in the medium at pH 1.2 in the dissolution test. Rapidly disintegrating tablets were prepared using the prepared taste-masked granules, and a mixture of excipients consisting of crystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-102) and low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC, LH-11). The granules and excipients were mixed well (mixing ratio by weight, crystalline cellulose: L-HPC = 8:2) with 1% magnesium stearate, and subsequently compressed at 500-1500 kgf in a single-punch tableting machine. The prepared tablets (compressed at 500 kgf) containing the taste-masked granules have sufficient strength (the crushing strength: oxybutynin tablet, 3.5 kg; pirenzepine tablet, 2.2 kg), and a rapid disintegration time (within 20 s) was observed in the saliva of healthy volunteers. None of the volunteers felt any bitter taste after the disintegration of the tablet which contained the taste-masked granules. We confirmed that the rapidly disintegrating tablets can be prepared using these taste-masked granules and excipients which are commonly used in tablet preparation.     

Formulation study for lansoprazole fast-disintegrating tablet. III. Design of rapidly disintegrating tablets

Lansoprazole fast-disintegrating tablets (LFDT) are a patient-friendly formulation that rapidly disintegrates in the mouth. LFDT consist of enteric-coated microgranules (mean particle size, approximately 300 microm) and inactive granules. In the design of the inactive granules, mannitol was used as a basic excipient. Microcrystalline cellulose, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC), and crospovidone were used as binders and disintegrants. A new grade of L-HPC (L-HPC-33), with a hydroxypropoxy group content of 5.0-6.9%, was developed and it has no rough texture due to a decrease in water absorption. It was clarified that L-HPC-33 could be useful as a binder and disintegrant in rapidly disintegrating tablets. LFDT contain enteric-coated microgranules in tablet form. The enteric-coated microgranule content in LFDT affect qualities such as tensile strength, disintegration time in the mouth, and dissolution behavior in the acid stage and in the buffer stage of LFDT. The 47.4% content of the enteric-coated microgranules was selected to give sufficient tensile strength (not less than 30 N/cm(2)), rapid disintegration time in the mouth (not more than 30 s), and dissolution behavior in the acid stage and buffer stage similar to current lansoprazole capsules. Compression force affected the tensile strength and the disintegration time in the mouth, but did not affect the dissolution behavior in the acid and buffer stages.     

Development of fast disintegrating compressed tablets using amino acid as disintegration accelerator: evaluation of wetting and disintegration of tablet on the basis of surface free energy

A fast disintegrating compressed tablet was formulated using amino acids, such as L-lysine HCl, L-alanine, glycine and L-tyrosine as disintegration accelerator. The tablets having the hardness of about 4 kgf were prepared and the effect of amino acids on the wetting time and disintegration time in the oral cavity of tablets was examined on the basis of surface free energy of amino acids. The wetting time of the tablets increased in the order of L-lysine HCl, L-alanine, glycine and L-tyrosine, whereas the disintegration time in the oral cavity of the tablets increased in the order of L-alanine, glycine, L-lysine HCl and L-tyrosine. These behaviors were well analyzed by the introduction of surface free energy. When the polar component of amino acid was large value or the dispersion component was small value, faster wetting of tablet was observed. When the dispersion component of amino acid was large value or the dispersion component was small value, faster disintegration of tablet was observed, expect of L-tyrosine tablet. The fast disintegration of tablets was explained by the theory presented by Matsumaru.     

Evaluation of the disintegration time of rapidly disintegrating tablets via a novel method utilizing a CCD camera

Many kinds of rapidly disintegrating or oral disintegrating tablets (RDT) have been developed to improve the ease of tablet administration, especially for elderly and pediatric patients. In these cases, knowledge regarding disintegration behavior appears important with respect to the development of such a novel tablet. Ordinary disintegration testing, such as the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP) method, faces limitations with respect to the evaluation of rapid disintegration due to strong agitation. Therefore, we have developed a novel apparatus and method to determine the dissolution of the RDT. The novel device consists of a disintegrating bath and CCD camera interfaced with a personal computer equipped with motion capture and image analysis software. A newly developed RDT containing various types of binder was evaluated with this protocol. In this method, disintegration occurs in a mildly agitated medium, which allows differentiation of minor distinctions among RDTs of different formulations. Simultaneously, we were also able to detect qualitative information, i.e., morphological changes in the tablet during disintegration. This method is useful for the evaluation of the disintegration of RDT during pharmaceutical development, and also for quality control during production.     

Development, characterization and performance evaluation of oro-dispersible tablet containing aceclofenac hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin binary system

The purpose of this research was to mask the intensely bitter taste of aceclofenac (ACF) and to formulate oro dispersible tablet (ODT) of the taste-masked drug. Taste masking was done by complexing aceclofenac with Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin (HPβCD) by different methods. Phase solubility studies indicated complex with possible stoichiometry of 1:1 and a stability constant of 221.11 M^?1. The complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry studies. The characterization studies confirmed inclusion of the ACF within the nonpolar cavity of HPβCD in the neutralization method (NM). Remarkable improvement in the in vitro drug release profiles in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer was observed with all complexes, especially the neutralization. The complexes of ACF–HPβCD (1:1) was compressed into tablet and properties of tablets such as tensile strength, wetting time, in vitro disintegration time, and disintegration in the oral cavity were investigated to elucidate the wetting and disintegration characteristics of tablets. Polyplasdone XL-10 7% wt/wt gave the minimum disintegration time. Tablets of batch F4 containing Avicel 200 and 7% wt/wt Polyplasdone XL-10 showed faster disintegration, within 12 s, than the marketed tablet (128 s). Good correlation between in vitro disintegration with in-house developed method and in the oral cavity was recognized. Taste evaluation of ODT in human volunteers revealed considerable taste masking with the degree of bitterness below threshold value. Thus, results conclusively demonstrated successful masking of taste and rapid disintegration of the formulated tablets in the oral cavity.     

Preparation of rapidly disintegrating tablets containing itraconazole solid dispersions

The disintegratability of tablets prepared from two types of solid dispersions containing the water-soluble polymer TC-5 and the enteric polymer HP-55 as an excipient were compared. The disintegratability was better in the tablets of solid dispersions containing non-water-soluble HP-55 than those containing TC-5. In consideration of the dissolubility of solid dispersions containing HP-55, the mean diameter of the solid dispersion (coating powder) must be controlled to 120 microm or less, but as this markedly increases the adhesion/aggregation tendency of the particles (angle of repose: 47 degrees ), control of the adhesion/aggregation tendency emerged as another problem. Therefore, surface-modification was performed in a high-speed agitating granulator using 0.1% light anhydrous silicic acid as a surface modifier, and marked improvement in the flowability was observed. This made continuous tableting using a rotary tablet machine possible even with the poorly flowable solid dispersions. Also, in tableting of the solid dispersions, no recrystallization of amorphous itraconazole by the tableting pressure was observed, and the tablets maintained satisfactory dissolubility. Moreover, it was possible to obtain the rapidly disintegrating tablets with very satisfactory properties, i.e., a tablet hardness of 30 N or higher and a disintegration time of 30 s or less, by the addition of croscarmellose as a disintegrant at 2% to the surface-modified solid dispersion and selection of the tableting pressure at 4.5 kN.     

Studies of rapidly disintegrating tablets in the oral cavity using co-ground mixtures of mannitol with crospovidone

We attempted the development of rapid oral disintegration tablets by direct compression using co-ground mixture of D-mannitol and crospovidone. The co-ground mixture was prepared with a vibration rod mill. The tablets were formed by compression using a single punch-tableting machine after addition of the co-ground mixture to non-ground D-mannitol, crospovidone and magnesium stearate. Regarding the properties of tablets, hardness and the time of disintegration were measured. The particle diameter and specific surface area of the co-ground mixture were measured. The tablets manufactured from a physical mixture of 30% (w/w) co-ground mixture of D-mannitol and crospovidone (mixed ratio 9 :1) with 65.5% (w/w) of non-ground mannitol, 4% (w/w) of crospovidone, and 0.5% (w/w) of magnesium stearate had good properties for rapidly disintegrating tablets in the oral cavity. They showed the hardness of 4.9 kg and disintegration time of 33 s. We found that adding co-ground mixture of D-mannitol and crospovidone is useful in enhancing hardness of the tablets that could not be achieved by addition of their individually ground mixture. The improvement in the hardness of the tablets was also observed when other saccharides and disintegrants were used. This method was proved to be applicable in the manufacture of tables of ascorbic acid, a water-soluble drug and nifedipine, a slightly water soluble drug; and the dissolution rate of nifedipine from the tablets in water was remarkably improved. The particle sizes of D-mannitol in the co-ground mixture were smaller than that of the individually ground mixture, resulting in a larger specific surface area of the co-ground mixture than that of the individually ground mixture. Therefore, it was presumed that crospovidone acted as a grinding assistant for D-mannitol in the co-grinding process, enhancing the hardness of tablets by increasing the contact area among powder particles.     

Preparation and evaluation of orally rapidly disintegrating tablets containing taste-masked particles using one-step dry-coated tablets technology

In this study, in order to address the problems with manufacturing orally rapidly disintegrating tablets (ODT) containing functional (taste masking or controlled release) coated particles, such as the low compactability of coated particles and the rupture of coated membrane during compression, a novel ODT containing taste-masked coated particles (TMP) in the center of the tablets were prepared using one-step dry-coated tablets (OSDrC) technology. As a reference, physical-mixture tablets (PM) were prepared by a conventional tableting method, and the properties of the tablets and the effect of compression on the characteristics of TMP were evaluated. OSDrC was found to have higher tensile strength and far lower friability than PM, but the oral disintegration time of OSDrC is slightly longer than that of PM following high compression pressure. Consequently, OSDrC approaches the target tablet properties of ODT, whereas PM does not. The deformation of TMP in OSDrC due to compression is slight, and the release rate of acetaminophen (AAP) from OSDrC is the same as from TMP. However, TMP on the surface of PM are considerably deformed, and the release rate of AAP from PM is faster than from TMP. These findings suggest that OSDrC technology is a useful approach for preparing ODT containing functional coated particles. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the elastic recovery of tablets can affect differences in the properties of OSDrC, PM and placebo tablets (PC).     

Optimization of salting-out taste-masking system for micro-beads containing drugs with high solubility

The salting-out taste-masking system is a multiparticulate system consisting of a drug core, a salting-out layer containing salts and water-soluble polymers, and a water-penetration control layer containing water-insoluble materials. The system generates a long lag time (time when released drug is less than 1%) for numbness masking, and a subsequent immediate drug release for high bioavailability. Aiming to contain the system and drugs that cause numbness in oral disintegrating tablets, the system was optimized to reduce the particle size and contain drugs with high water solubility in this study. The amount of coating on the layers, the coating solvent, and the positioning of the components were also optimized. The findings in this study will lead to the provision of numbness-masked oral disintegrating tablets to patients.     

Evaluation of cyclodextrin polymer as a disintegrating agent

Cyclodextrin polymer was compared to other well known disintegrants concerning the swelling properties /water uptake, moisture uptake, hydration capacity, sedimentation volume in water/. Its high disintegrating effect was proved in directly compressed tablets as well as in tablets made by wet granulation. A remarkable improvement in tablet properties was observed. Not only the disintegration of tablets and the dissolution of the drug was accelerated but also the hardness increased when CDP was used as disintegrant.     

Formulation and optimization of orally disintegrating tablets of sumatriptan succinate

The aims of the present research were to mask the intensely bitter taste of sumatriptan succinate and to formulate orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) of the taste masked drug. Taste masking was performed by coating sumatriptan succinate with Eudragit EPO using spray drying technique. The resultant microspheres were evaluated for thermal analysis, yield, particle size, entrapment efficiency and in vitro taste masking. The tablets were formulated by mixing the taste masked microspheres with different types and concentrations of superdisintegrants and compressed using direct compression method followed by sublimation technique. The prepared tablets were evaluated for weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, drug content, water content, in vitro disintegration time and in vitro drug release. All the tablet formulations disintegrated in vitro within 37-410 s. The optimized formulation containing 5% Kollidon CL-SF released more than 90% of the drug within 15 min and the release was comparable to that of commercial product (Suminat?). In human volunteers, the optimized formulation was found to have a pleasant taste and mouth feel and disintegrated in the oral cavity within 41 s. The optimized formulation was found to be stable and bioequivalent with Suminat?.     

Preparation of rapidly disintegrating tablet using new types of microcrystalline cellulose (PH-M series) and low substituted-hydroxypropylcellulose or spherical sugar granules by direct compression method

To decrease the sensation of roughness when a tablet, which is rapidly disintegrated by saliva (rapidly disintegrating tablet), is orally taken, we prepared rapidly disintegrating tablets using microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-M series), a new type of pharmaceutical excipient that is spherical and has a very small particle size (particle size, 7-32 microm), instead of conventional microcrystalline cellulose (PH-102) used in the formulation of tablets containing acetaminophen or ascorbic acid as model drugs for tableting study. Tablets (200 mg) prepared using spherical microcrystalline cellulose, PH-M-06, with the smallest particle size (mean value, 7 microm) had sufficient crushing tolerance (approximately, 8 kg) and were very rapidly, disintegrated (within 15 s) when the mixing ratio of PH-M-06 to low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC) was 9:1. Sensory evaluation by volunteers showed that PH-M-06 was superior to PH-102 in terms of the feeling of roughness in the mouth. Consequently, it was found that particle size is an important factor for tablet preparation using microcrystalline cellulose. It is possible to prepare drugs such as acetaminophen and ascorbic acid (concentration of approximately 50%) in the tablet form using PH-NM-06 in combination with L-HPC as a good disintegrant at a low compression force (1-6 kN). To solve the problem of poor fluidity in the preparation of these tablets, we investigated the use of spherical sugar granules (Nonpareil, NP-101 (sucrose and starch, composition ratio of 7:3), NP-103 (purified sucrose), NP-107 (purified lactose) and NP-108 (purified D-mannitol)). Rapidly disintegrating tablets can be prepared by the direct compression method when suitable excipients such as fine microcrystalline cellulose (PH-M-06) and spherical sugar granules (NP) are used.     

Combined use of cyclodextrins and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose stearoxy ether (Sangelose®) for the preparation of orally disintegrating tablets of type-2 antidiabetes agent glimepiride

Despite recent advances in the formulation of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), the efforts to enhance the swallowing of the drug after disintegration have been limited. In this study, the feasibility of the combined use of cyclodextrins (CyDs) and a functional drug carrier, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose stearoxy ether (Sangelose^®) was investigated to improve usability of ODTs. Glimepiride, a potent third generation hypoglycemic agent for type 2 diabetes was used as a model drug, because it is poorly water-soluble and elimination half life is fairly short. The direct compression method was employed for the preparation of glimepiride tablets, containing CyDs and Sangelose^®, and various characteristics of the tablets were examined. In the cases of α-CyD and β-CyD, a short disintegration time with an appropriate hardness was obtained, complying with ODT criteria. On the other hand, γ-CyD, HP-β-CyD and HB-β-CyD increased in the hardness and disintegration time of the tablets. The rheological evaluation revealed that CyDs, except γ-CyD, significantly reduced the viscosity of the fluids after disintegration of the tablets, suggesting an ease of swallowing. This was ascribable to the complexation of the hydrophobic stearoyl moiety of Sangelose^® with CyDs after dissolution, leading to the inhibition of the polymer–polymer interaction of Sangelose^® and to the decrease in viscosity of the solution. The interaction of glimepiride with α- and β-CyDs was studied by the solubility method, demonstrating that glimepiride formed water-soluble complexes with these CyDs. Results obtained here suggested that α-CyD and β-CyD can be particularly useful for the Sangelose^®-based ODT formulation, compared to γ-CyD, HP-β-CyD and HB-β-CyD, because of the short disintegration time of the tablets containing α-CyD and β-CyD, their shear-thinning effect on Sangelose^® solutions and their solubility enhancing effect on the drug.     

Tabletting of solid dispersion particles consisting of indomethacin and porous silica particles

We attempted to make the rapidly dissolving tablet (Tab) containing solid dispersion particles (SD) with indomethacin (IMC) and porous silica (Sylysia350) as carrier prepared by using spray-drying technique. Rapidly dissolving tablet was formulated with mannitol as a diluent and low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC) or partly pre-gelatinized starch (PCS) as a disintegrant. The percent dissolved from Tab (SD) was higher than that of tablet containing physical mixture (PM) at 20 min. Nearly 100% of drug in Tab (SD) was dissolved within 60 min, while the drug dissolution of Tab (PM) was not completed at the same time period. In addition, the tensile strength of Tab (SD) was much higher than that of Tab (PM). Adding L-HPC in Tab (SD) (Tab (SD-L-HPC)), the percent dissolved from Tab (SD-L-HPC) at 5 min became much higher than that from Tab (SD). The dissolution profile of IMC from Tab (SD-L-HPC) was almost the same irrespective of the compression pressure, while the tensile strength of tablet increased with increasing the compression pressure. In comparing the compaction property of these tablets by observing the ratio of residual die wall pressure (RDP) to maximum die wall pressure (MDP) (RDP/MDP), it was found that addition of L-HPC in the tablet formulation improved compactibility. In case that PCS was formulated as disintegrant, Tab (SD-PCS), similar improvement in the dissolution profile and tensile strength was observed, though the dissolution rate of IMC from Tab (SD-PCS) was slightly lower than that from Tab (SD-L-HPC) irrespective of the compression pressure.     

Evaluation of the disintegration properties of commercial famotidine 20 mg orally disintegrating tablets using a simple new test and human sensory test

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness and broad-applicability of a simple disintegration test method for orally disintegrating tablets (ODT). Eight types of commercial famotidine 20 mg orally disintegrating tablets with different physical properties (formulation, manufacturing method, tablet weight, shape, diameter, thickness, etc.), were used. Disintegration times of these tablets were evaluated employing human sensory test, conventional disintegration test, and the new proposed disintegration test. The human sensory test was performed in 5 healthy volunteers. In the conventional disintegration test, the disintegration apparatus described in the Japanese Pharmacopeia (JP 1(st)) was used. Our proposed new test which is characterized by a rotating shaft with a low weight (10, 15 g) and rotation speed (10, 25, 50 rpm) was evaluated using tablets with and without storage under severe conditions (60 degrees C/75%RH for 1 week). The disintegration times of famotidine 20 mg orally disintegrating tablets in human sensory test varied from 9 to 32 s. In contrast, disintegration times in the conventional test were prolonged to over 300 s. Disintegration times in the new proposed test were close to those in human sensory test. Especially, when the new test was conducted with 15 or 10 g weight and 25 rpm, the slope (human sensory test vs. new proposed test) was almost 1. We were able to demonstrate that the new proposed test was useful to estimate the actual human disintegration time.     

Spray dried excipient base: a novel technique for the formulation of orally disintegrating tablets

Orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) are gaining popularity over conventional tablets due to their convenience in administration and suitability for patients having dysphagia. Moreover no water is required for swallowing the tablets and hence suitable for geriatric, pediatric and traveling patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the suitability of spray dried excipient base in the formulation of ODTs of Valdecoxib (low aqueous solubility) and Metoclopramide (high aqueous solubility). Spray dried excipient base was prepared using Scientech spray drier. Super disintegrants (such as Ac-Di-Sol, Kollidon CL, sodium starch glycolate), diluent (mannitol) alongwith sweetening agent (aspartame) were used in the formulation of tablets. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, water absorption ratio, disintegration time (DT) and in vitro drug release. Using the same excipients, the tablets were prepared by direct compression and were evaluated in the similar way. Maximum drug release and minimum DT were observed with Kollidon CL excipient base as compared to tablets prepared by direct compression, showing the superiority of the spray dried excipient base technique over direct compression technique.     

Improvement of HPMC tablet disintegration by the addition of inorganic salts

Effects of inorganic salts on disintegration of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) matrix tablets have been studied. Adding disintegrants, such as Ac-di-sol, Primojel, Kolidon-CL, or low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC) to HPMC matrix tablets had no effect on disintegration property. Disintegration time was improved by adding NaHCO(3), KH(2)PO(4), K(2)SO(4), KCl, or NaCl to the HPMC tablets as tablet components. On the other hand, addition of Na(2)CO(3), or Na(2)SO(4) to the tablets showed no improvement of disintegration. The heat of dissolution of inorganic salts that improved disintegration of tablets was endothermic, while that of inorganic salts that did not improve disintegration of tablets was exothermic. These results suggested that the thermal environment and ionic strength inside the tablet might affect the disintegration of HPMC matrix tablets.     

The effects of adsorbed water on tensile strength and Young's modulus of moldings determined by means of a three-point bending method

Young's moduli (E) of three representative tableting excipients and their mix powders were measured for compressed rectangular beam specimens over a range of porosities using a three-point bending technique. We also examined the effects of the amount of water adsorbed on the tensile strength of these specimens. The maximal tensile strength (sigma(max)) decreased with increasing water vapor adsorption for microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and mixed powders of lactose and MCC. Sigma(max) increased with increasing compression stress and specimen weight for all samples. Sigma(max) of an alpha-lactose and cornstarch mixture with a ratio of 7:3 showed a large value. Young's modulus (E) and the crushing energy (CE) of MCC were larger than those of the other samples. Young's modulus of specimens decreased as the proportion of alpha-lactose increased. Disintegration time (DT) of tablets comprised of lactose and MCC mixture was much faster than those of tablets comprised of individual powders. This appeared to demonstrate the effect of MCC swelling on the disintegration time of the tablet. The disintegration time of the lactose/cornstarch series increased only when Young's modulus increased sharply.