Effect of compression pressure on mechanical and release properties of tramadol matrix tablets

Drug delivery to the proper site of action in the body is greatly influenced by the excipients used and some processing variables such as changes in compression force.

The aim of this investigation was to study the influence of changes in compression forces during tablet manufacturing on the mechanical and release properties of Tramadol matrix tablet. Hardness and friability were used as assessment parameters for mechanical properties while release properties were analysed using dissolution test. Data were analysed using One-way ANOVA at p < 0.05.

Tablet hardness and friability were typically compression pressure-dependent with a significant difference in tablet hardness and friability with increase in compression pressure (p < 0.001).

Drug release was best expressed by Korsmeyer-Peppas equation as the plots showed high linearity (r2) of 0.998 and 0.988 for formulations containing Xanthan gum and Sodium carboxymethylcellulose, respectively. Drug release from formulations containing Xanthan gum was mainly by diffusion while a combination of diffusion and chain relaxation was the mechanism of drug release from formulation containing Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose.

The release properties of tramadol matrix tablet were not significantly influenced by compression pressure but rather by the polymer and the material properties of the drug.