What Are the Techniques For Pressing Effervescent Tablets?

1.What Are Effervescent Tablets?

Effervescent Tablets - Sourced: Pampa Direct

Effervescent tablets refer to tablets containing sodium bicarbonate and organic acids, which can produce gas when in contact with water and form an effervescent state. Although effervescent tablets are also tablets, they are a special drug formulation and should not be swallowed directly.

The raw materials in effervescent tablets should be easily soluble, and quickly dissolve after adding water to generate bubbles. It is particularly suitable for people who have difficulty swallowing medication, such as the elderly and children, to take orally. Some effervescent tablets are not palatable and are only used for intracavitary administration.

2.What Are the Components of Effervescent Tablets?

Why do effervescent tablets form bubbles and dissolve in water? What are the main ingredients for effervescent tablets? In general, effervescent tablets typically contain effervescent disintegrants composed of organic salts, carbonates, and bicarbonates.

Components of Effervescent Tablets - Sourced: Auric

Alkaline components

Bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is the key to foaming effervescent tablets.

Acidic components

Mainly citric acid or other organic acids, they can react with alkaline components to produce carbon dioxide gas.

Other components

The other components includes various nutrients, drugs, spices, pigments, etc., they can enhance the functionality and aesthetics of effervescent tablets. Different types of effervescent tablets will choose different combinations of raw materials according to different purposes and needs.

3.What Are the Benefits of Effervescent Tablets?

Effervescent tablets are a relatively new drug formulation that is easy to take, quickly effective, and has a good taste. After dissolving, effervescent tablets become a solution for drinking and have various functions and effects.

Convenient to take

Convenient to Take - Sourced: Vitaquest

Effervescent tablets, also known as orally disintegrating tablets, have one of the advantages of making medication more convenient and simple for patients, especially for those who cannot swallow. They can easily place effervescent tablets into a glass containing water, forming a drug solution or suspension, making it easy and simple to take.

Relieving indigestion

Some effervescent tablets contain antacids, such as sodium bicarbonate or citrate, which can neutralize stomach acid and alleviate digestive symptoms such as soreness, heartburn, and bloating;

Rapid dissolution and absorption

Rapid Dissolution and Absorption - Sourced: Manuka Doctor

Effervescent tablets can quickly dissolve in water and release a large number of bubbles, allowing the drug to disperse quickly and promoting the rapid absorption of active ingredients.

Improving bioavailability

Effervescent tablets can dissolve quickly, and their active ingredients can be more directly absorbed by the human body, improving the bioavailability of drugs.

4.What Are the Types of Effervescent Tablets?

What types of effervescent tablets have you seen? Not all effervescent tablets are taken orally, some are used topically.

Oral effervescent tablets

Oral Effervescent Tablets - Sourced: Freepik

This type of effervescent tablet is mainly used for supplementing drugs and health products, such as vitamin effervescent tablets, electrolyte effervescent tablets, acetaminophen effervescent tablets, etc.

Oral effervescent tablets are different from regular tablets in that they need to be dissolved in water before consumption. You should wait until you have calmed down before drinking effervescent tablets. If you haven’t calmed down, drinking them may cause bloating, abdominal pain, hiccups, and more.

External effervescent tablets

External Effervescent Tablets - Sourced: Egyptian Drug Store

These types of effervescent tablets are mostly used for gynecological medication, such as metronidazole vaginal effervescent tablets, which are used to treat gynecological inflammation and other diseases. Effervescent tablets are used for local gynecological medication and have the characteristics of fast onset, complete absorption, and no damage to the mucosa. Their dissolution rate is faster and absorption is better than suppositories.

5.What Are the Application Industries of Effervescent Tablets?

Have you taken effervescent tablets? Due to its multiple advantages, effervescent tablets have been applied in many fields.

Pharmaceutical industry

Pharmaceutical Industry - Sourced: Trend Hunter

Many drugs also use effervescent tablets, such as acetaminophen. The effervescent tablet form can disintegrate 100% in vitro, saving the time required for dissolution in the stomach, thus achieving the effects of easy administration (for those who have difficulty swallowing, such as the elderly, children, etc.), rapid absorption, and fast onset of action.

Healthcare industry

Healthcare Industry - Sourced: Hygiene4less

Chlorine dioxide effervescent tablets are used for air disinfection in hospital wards, operating rooms, outpatient rooms, and other places, as well as disinfection of medical equipment and infectious disease ward utensils, which helps reduce the risk of cross infection.

Food industry

Food Industry - Sourced: Cureka

Effervescent tablets can be used to make vitamin C tablets and beverage effervescent tablets. Because it is convenient to carry and with a good taste, it is favored by many people.

6.What Are the Techniques For Pressing Effervescent Tablets?

There are techniques for pressing effervescent tablets to ensure the quality and performance of tablets. The following will give you a detailed introduction for raw material treatment, particle and pressing.

(1)Raw material treatment

Controlling the particle sizeof raw material

Controlling the Particle Size of Raw Material - Sourced: Matcon

The particle size of raw materials has a significant impact on the compression and performance of effervescent tablets. Generally speaking, the particle size of active ingredients, acid-base foaming agents, and fillers should be moderate and uniform.

Controlling the water of raw material

Controlling the Water of Raw Material - Sourced: BikeRadar

Excessive moisture can cause the particles to become sticky, affecting the smooth progress of tablet pressing and reducing the effervescent effect; Insufficient moisture content, poor plasticity of particles, and poor hardness and formability of tablets. The moisture content of general raw materials should be controlled at 3% -5%.

(3)Mixing

Mixing - Sourced: SPX Flow

Ensuringthe mixing sequence

First, mixing the active ingredients with some fillers, then add acid-base foaming agents, and finally add lubricants and other auxiliary materials. For example, first mix vitamin C with some mannitol evenly, then add citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, and finally add magnesium stearate. This can avoid premature contact reaction of acid-base foaming agents and ensure thorough mixing of all components.

Controllingthe mixing time

The mixing time is usually controlled at 10-20 minutes, and the mixing speed is adjusted according to the type of mixing equipment and the amount of material to achieve the best mixing effect.

(4)Granulation

Choosing the appropriate adhesive and dosage

The type and amount of adhesive directly affect the quality of the particles. For effervescent tablets with good water solubility, an ethanol solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) can be used as the adhesive, and its dosage is generally 5% -10% of the total amount of raw materials.

Controlling temperature and time

The control of temperature and time is crucial in the drying process of wet granulation. The drying temperature is usually controlled at 40-60℃, and the drying time is 2-4 hours, which needs to be adjusted according to the material characteristics and equipment conditions.

(4)Pressing effervescent tablets

Pressing Effervescent Tablets - Sourced: Nutraceutical Business Review

Controllingpressure

Excessive pressure, hard effervescent tablets, slow dissolution rate, and possible cracking during storage; Too little pressure, loose effervescent tablets, insufficient hardness, and easy breakage.

Generally speaking, for effervescent tablets with a diameter of about 10mm, the pressure of a single stamping press can be controlled within 5-10kN, and the pressure of a rotary tablet press can be adjusted within an appropriate range according to specific equipment and process requirements.

Choosingthe appropriate punching die

Choosing the Appropriate Punching Die - Sourced: Fluidpack

The shape, size, and surface quality of the punching die have an impact on the appearance and quality of effervescent tablets. Choosing a suitable punching die based on the shape and specifications of the effervescent tablets, such as circular, elliptical, etc. The surface of the die should be smooth, without wear and scratches, to avoid affecting the demolding and appearance quality of the effervescent sheet.

Controllingthe compression environment

The temperature and humidity of the compression environment have a significant impact on the compression of effervescent tablets. The general temperature is controlled at 18-25 ℃, and the relative humidity is controlled at 40% -60%.

7.What Machines Are Involved in the Production of Effervescent Tablets?

The production of effervescent tablets requires multiple equipment, including mixers, granulators, tablet presses, etc.

Mixer

3D Mixer

The mixer is mainly used to thoroughly mix various pharmaceutical raw materials of  effervescent tablets, such as organic salts, carbonates, and bicarbonates, to achieve uniformity and quality stability of the formulation. The 3D mixer can achieve comprehensive mixing, save energy consumption, and achieve uniform mixing effect through strong shear force.

Granulator machine

Granulator Machine

A granulator machine is an industrial equipment used to shape powdered or granular raw materials into uniform particles or solid particles through the action of pressure and friction.

The working principle of a granulator is usually to put the raw materials into a rotating container, and gradually gather them together through the force of rotation and friction. During the aggregation process, the granulator applies pressure to form solid particles from the raw materials. During this process, a certain amount of lubricant or binder is usually added to help the solid particles form better.

Effervescent tabletpress machine

Effervescent Tablet Press Machine

The effervescent tablet press machine can compress powdered raw materials into tablets, and the filling depth and tablet thickness of the materials can be adjusted.

The working principle of this machine is relatively simple but precise. Firstly, the raw material powder will be evenly fed into the mold, and then the powder will be pressed into pieces through the rotation and pressure of the upper and lower pressing wheels. After the compression is completed, the tablet will automatically demold.

8.How to Choose A Reliable Manufacturer of Effervescent Tablet Press Machine?

In order to efficiently produce high-quality effervescent tablets, it is necessary to choose a reliable manufacturer.

Selecting qualified manufacturers

Selecting Qualified Manufacturers - Sourced: Incr-edibles CBD

Ensuring that the factory has formal qualifications. It is a basic requirement for the business license, production license, and production details to include the corresponding subcategories of OEM products. In addition, workshop certification and ISO 22000 quality system certification are also important manifestations of the factory’s strength.

Assessing the scale of the manufacturer

Assessing the Scale of the Manufacturer - Sourced: Gembah

The scale of a manufacturer of effervescent tablet press machine reflects its hardware strength. The layout of factories, workshops, supporting office and storage areas should be reasonable, and the connection between each area should revolve around production. Legitimate health product processing factories usually have clear functional zoning.

The professionalism of the workers

The Professionalism of the Workers - Sourced: SSSC news

The number of workers and technicians is an important indicator of a effervescent tablet press machine manufacturer’s strength. The core of production activities are workers and technicians, whose quantity and quality directly affect the quality of products.

The performance of effervescent tablet press machine

Effervescent tablet press machine is the core hardware of a factory. When inspecting the factory, you can enter the workshop to observe the quantity and completeness of the equipment. Displaying finished products is an important way for factories to showcase their production capabilities to customers. Through product display, customers can intuitively understand the manufacturer’s advantageous productivity.

Conclusion

Due to its benefits, effervescent tablets have been applied in multiple industries. In order to ensure high-quality production of effervescent tablets, attention should be paid to the techniques used in the pressing process, and qualified tablet press manufacturers should also be selected. This article provides a detailed introduction to all of this information. If you want to learn more about effervescent tablets, feel free to contact AIPAK at any time.