Evaluation of the compaction properties of a solid dispersion of indomethacin with crospovidone by tableting process analyzer

A powder solid dispersion system (SD) of indomethacin (IM) with crospovidone (CrosPVP) possesses good fluidity and can be used for tablet formulation. Tablets of SD can be prepared by direct compression and have adequate hardness and a small variation in weight. Forces during the tableting process were measured with a tableting process analyzer (TabAll) equipped with a single-punch. The pressure transmission ratio (PTR) from the upper to the lower punch and the die wall force (DWF) were examined during the tableting process. Ejection force (EF) and scraper pressure (SP) were measured for determining the capping and sticking properties during the tableting process. Adding 1% magnesium stearate (MS) to the SD resulted in high PTR and DWF values and a low EF value. PTR and DWF values increased and EF value decreased when MS and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were added to the SD. A thousand tablets could be manufactured without problems such as sticking or capping when 1% MS and 50% MCC were added to the SD containing 25% IM.