CA2298487C - A process for the preparation of a granulate suitable to the preparation of rapidly disintegrable mouth-soluble tablets - Google Patents

Abstract

A process for the preparation of a granulate composition suitable to the preparation of an oral solid form having the characteristic of disintegrating rapidly inside the buccal cavity, as well as granulate compositions obtained. The tablet prepared according to the invention is capable of disintegrating inside the mouth of the patient within a very short time. Such a system is particularly useful to formulate medicaments in the elderly and/or children having difficulty in swallowing the conventional pharmaceutical solid formulations.

Description

A PROCBSS FOR THE PRBPARATION OF A GRANULATB SUITABLg TO
THE PREPARATION OF RAPIDLY DISINTEGRABj.B MOUTH-SOLUBLE
TABLBTS

Field of the invention The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a granulate suitable to the preparation of rapidly disintegrable mouth-soluble tablets.
5. Technological backaround One of the changes occurring in modern society is the progressive ageing of population. Such a phenomenon is accompanied by the onset of degenerative pathologies involving difficulties in coordination and in swallowing the traditional oral forms such as tablets or capsules.
Said problems are also present, although for opposite causes, in other population groups, such as children.
On the other hand, the need for solid pharmaceutical forms capable of making the medicament available within a short time from the administration is particularly felt even for those patients who do not have any swallowing problems.

In some fields of therapy, such as that relating analgesia, fast acting medicaments to be administered by the oral route are nowadays particularly required.
The conventional solution to such a problem is usually provided by water-soluble effervescent tablets.
In this case, the patient ingests the aqueous solution resulting from the disintegration of the tablet in water so that the active ingredient already dissolved or dispersed in water is in a highly bio-available form.
A number of methods for the preparation of granu-

2 lates suitable to the preparation of effervescent tablets are known. One of said methods, so-called "single phase", consists in keeping in suspension, in an air stream, the effervescent mixture and optionally any excipients and in granulating said mixture using water and/or a binding polymer. The mass, after the granulation phase, is dried, sieved and collected in a single operation.
The effervescent tablets, however, in order to be administered, have to be dispersed in a carrier, since they cannot be ingested directly. This is in many cases, above all for the above mentioned population groups, a restriction to the use of such a pharmaceutical formulation.
Therefore, tablets to dissolve in the mouth, suitable to the oral or sublingual administration, have been suggested.
The buccal tablets are intended for disintegration in the mouth, the patient placing them in the buccal cavity, on the tongue or between cheeks and gums, thereby allowing a slow dissolution, which usually requires 30 to 60 minutes (E. Rotteglia "Compresse farmaceutiche", SocietA Editoriale Farmaceutica, Milan, Italy, 1966).

On the contrary, sublingual tablets are intended to be placed under the tongue, wherein the active substance can be directly absorbed through the mucosa. These forms are provided with slow-disintegration formulations as well (E. Rotteglia, ibid. and S. Casadio, Tecnologia Farmaceutica II Ed., Cisalpina Goliardica, Milan, Italy).

WO 99/04758 _ PCT/EP98/04514

3 This type of prolonged release is hardly suitable for formulating active ingredients, such as analgesics, which have to exert an immediate effect.

Such a requirement can be met by freeze-dried sublingual tablets such as those prepared according to the Zydis(R) procedure (Manufacturing Chemist, 36-37, February 1990).

However, such formulations are very expensive and require sophisticated technologies and methods from the production point of view. These products are substantially freeze-dried products, the pharmaceutical formulation being therefore difficult to handle (due to its high friability and fragility) and requiring specific packaging. A problem connected with this type of formulation is the impossibility to effect any taste-masking on the active ingredient.

WO 8808298 (Fuisz Technologies, 3-11-1988) discloses rapid-dissolution pharmaceutical compositions in which the active ingredient is included in fibres of a water-soluble carrier obtained through a specific preparation process which requires a specific, expensive plant. Moreover, the resulting compositions exhibit friability problems and must always be handled and packed with particular precautions (use of dehydrating -25 agents, humidity-tight packages, controlled-humidity work environment and so on).

EP-A-494972 (Cima Labs Inc.; 22-7-1992) describes effervescent tablets suitable to the direct oral administration, i.e. without a previous development of the effervescence in water, consisting of microcapsules containing the active ingredients and an amount of

4 effervescent agents sufficient to promote the release of the microgranules when ingested and to give a "fizzing"
sensation when in contact with the buccal mucosa of the patient.

The amount of effervescent agents, typically citric acid and a carbonate or a bicarbonate, ranges from 5 to 50% by weight compared with the composition total weight, preferably from 15 to 30%. Dissolution times in the mouth range from 30 seconds to 5-7 minutes.

In this case also, notwithstanding the presence of amounts of effervescent agents lower than in conventional formulations (60% by weight compared with the composition total), the typical cautions used for the effervescent tablets should be taken.

Further drawbacks are the friability of the tablets and the use of microcapsules. In fact, the preparation technique described in EP-A-494972 does not envisage the humid granulation, i.e. using a solvent, but the direct mixing of the powders and the subsequent compression.
Such a preparation technique yields tablets having friability values higher than those involving the humid granulation of the mixture to be pressed.

Summary of the invention Now it has been found that mouth-soluble, rapidly disintegrating tablets can be prepared by fluidized bed granulating an aqueous solution of a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer in a polyalcohol, optionally in mixture with other solid components.

4a In one particular embodiment there is provided a process for the preparation of a granulate for use in the preparation of mouth-soluble, rapidly disintegrating tablets, which comprises granulating in a fluidizing bed, a bed of solids consisting of:

- a polyalcohol, - from 1 to 30% of an edible acid or an effervescent mixture of acids and bases for alimentary use in amount lower than 20% by weight on the total composition - optionally other solid components with an aqueous granulating liquid containing an amount of water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer ranging from 1 to 10% by weight on the total composition.
The granulate obtained according to the invention, characterized by a high porosity and a low apparent density, allows to prepare tablets rapidly disinte-grating in contact with saliva in times ranging, for example, from 30" to 3', even without the aid of effervescent agents.

If desired, however, the effervescent agents can be

5 present in the granulate composition in order to promote further the disintegration of the tablets. For this purpose, markedly lower amounts of effervescent agents than those usually employed in the conventional effervescent compositions. About 20% by weight of effervescent agents on the basis of the total tablet assures for example an exceedingly rapid dissolution, but even lower amounts, for example lower than 5%, provide similar disintegration times.

Moreover, it has surprisingly been found that substantially the same disintegrating effect can also be obtained using the only acid component of the effervescent couple.

The compositions obtainable according to the invention, in addition to disintegration times lower or anyhow comparable to those of the traditional effervescent formulations, have the following further advantages:

- high stability;

- very good organoleptic characteristics;

- handling and packaging without need for the cautions and measures required for the effervescent formulations.

Detailed disclosure of the 'nv ntion The method according to the invention consists in the fluidized bed granulation in a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer a diluent of the class of

6 polyalcohols and optionally other solid components such as active ingredients, flavors, sweetening agents, surfactants, disintegration agents.

The polyalcohols which can be used according to the invention are those usable for alimentary purposes and are preferably selected from mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol, erythritol and lactitol.
Particularly preferred are sorbitol or xylitol which have high water-solubility a negative heat of dissolution, capable of giving a pleasant feeling of freshness. The polyalcohol will be from about 50 to about 90% by the total weight of the tablet obtained by compression of the granulate.

Water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers are selected from those conventionally used in the pharmaceutical field. Examples of said polymers comprise polyethylene glycols, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, xanthan gum, polyethylene oxide (Polyox (R)), ethoxylated polyoxypropylene (Pluronic(R)), acrylic and methacrylic acid polymers (Eudragit(R)), carrageenin, ethyl cellulose (AcquacoatR), polyvinyl alcohol. The amount of the polymer dissolved or dispersed in water varies from 1 to 10% by weight on the total composition.
The fluidized bed granulation is usually carried out adjusting the operative conditions, so that the temperature of the inlet air is from 30 to 50 C and the temperature of the outlet air is from 25 to 45 C. The flow of the distributed solution will depend of course on the size and type of the plant. In principle, for a pilot plant of the type Niro Aereomatic Strea 1 flows WO 99/04758 . PCT/EP98/04514

7 ranging between 10 and 15 ml/min of polymer solution or dispersion will be used.

In addition to the polyalcohol, the solid phase can contain all of the other components (active ingredient, flavors, sweeteners, and the like) or some thereof can be mixed with the granulate before compression. Such an alternative can be suitable in the case of highly thermo-sensitive components or in the case of excipients such as lubricants, flavours, disintegrating agents.

When present, the effervescent mixture can consist of acids and bases for alimentary use.

The acid source can consist of citric, tartaric, malic, fumaric, adipic, succinic, alginic acids, anhydrides and acid salts such as dihydrogen phosphate, disodium dihydrogen phosphate, citric acid salts.

The bases can be: solid carbonates of salts such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium glycine carbonate, L-lysine carbonate, arginine carbonate and amorphous calcium.

The amount of effervescent mixture or of the acid only is preferably lower than 20% by weight on the basis of the total composition, most preferably lower than 5%.
Alternatively, the compositions of the invention can contain only the acid component, particularly citric acid, in weight percentages from 1 to 4% on the total.

The compositions obtainable according to the process of the invention are suitable for the administration of any active ingredient which can be administered orally and capable of being absorbed by the buccal mucosa and/or by the gastrointestinal tract. If

8 _ PCT/EP98/04514 desired, the active ingredients may be previously coated.
Moreover, the compositions obtainable according to the process of the invention are particularly suitable for the administration of vitamins, mineral salts, dietary supplements, vegetable extracts and mixtures thereof.
Examples of active ingredients which can be used in the process of the invention comprise: antitussives, anthistamines, decongestants, antacids, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, anticholesterol agents, antiarrhythmics, antiepileptics, anorexizants, expextorants, antianxiety agents, antiulcer drugs, coronary dilators, psychotropics, antipsychotics, antineoplastics, antiemetics, hypnotics, antikynetosic agents, muscle relaxants, neuromuscular agents, hypoglycemic agents, hyperglycemic agents, thyroid suppressors and stimulants, diuretics, antispasmodics, uterine relaxants, anabolic agents and combinations thereof.

Examples of vitamins comprise Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, folic acid, choline, carnitine, carnosine, carotenoids, lycopene, optionally in the form of coenzymes.

Examples of mineral salts comprise salts of essential elements such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, copper, iodine, phosphorous, chromium, cobalt, manganese, optionally in mixtures thereof.

Examples of dietary supplements comprise amino-acids, proteins, vegetable or fish oils, ginseng, bran, honey, royal jelly, meals and the like.

WO 99/04758 _ PCT/EP98/04514

9 Examples of derivatives or extracts of natural origin comprise green tea, Ginseng, Guarany, Ginkgo biloba, bilberry extracts, proanthocyanosides, grape-seed extracts and the like.

The flavor, which is an important feature of this type of pharmaceutical formulations, can be included in the outer phase during the final mixing with other excipients or, making use of the fluidized bed granulation technique, it can be sprayed on the granulate and then on the active ingredient, exploiting in some cases the capability of taste-masking of the flavor on the active ingredient.

The flavors can be selected from synthetic or natural flavors, extracts from plants or flowers, alone or in a combination thereof, essential oils such as cinnamon, peppermint, clove, anise, eucalyptus, thyme, cedar, chamomile oils. Other flavors useful are fruits essences such as apple, peach, strawberry, raspberry, orange, apricot, cherry, plum, pineapple, bubble gum alone or in a combination thereof.

The amount of flavor used can vary, depending on a number of factors such as the intensity of the desired organo3.eptic effect: the amount can anyhow vary from 0.5 to 3.0% on the basis of the composition total weight.
.25 The compositions of the invention can moreover contain disintegration agents such as microcrystalline cellulose coated with arabic gum; potato or maize starches, modified starches, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cross-povidone, alginic acid, starch sodium glycolate, agar, in amount ranging from 2 to 10% on the basis of the composition total weight.

The compositions can optionally contain coloring agents such as titanium dioxide, acceptable natural or synthetic coloring agents, which can be sprayed during the granulation phase.

5 The lubricants and surfactants can be added to the granulate both during the final mixing phase before compression and during the granulation.

Among the traditional solid lubricants, Ca, Mg, Zn of stearic acid salts, partially hydrogenated vegetable

10 oils, polyethylene glycols, polyoxyethylene monostearate, talc, sodium benzoate, sodium laurylsuifate, magnesium oxide can be used.

The amount of lubricant to be added can vary from 0.2% to 1.0% of the total composition.
In all of the excipient mixtures, the poured apparent density before and after the granulation has been evaluated.

Before the granulation, the density varies from 0.6 to 0.8 g/ml, after the granulation process in the conditions defined above the density decreases to 0.3 -0.5 g/ml.

These data confirm the capability of this method of producing low-density, and therefore high-porosity, granulates.

This porous structure is maintained even after compression of the granulate, thereby obtaining tablets with a variable hardness of 6-7 Kp which disintegrate in a time ranging between 30" and 120".

In order to increase the disintegration rate, the granulate obtained according to the invention can be compressed to a form so as to increase the tablet WO 99/04758 _ PCT/EP98/04514

11 surface, for example in a circular form with a substantially toroidal section, as shown in Figures la (plant view) and in Figures lb (sectional view).

The following examples illustrate the invention in greater detail.

Example 1 Nimesulide mouth-soluble tablets (100 mg of Nimesulide for 1.0 g tablet, diameter 16 mm) Amount x Amount batch 1000 mg 500 g (500 tbl) 1 Nimesulide 100.0 mg 50.0 g 2 Citric acid crystals 19.0 mg 9.5 g 3 Sodium bicarbonate 19.0 mg 9.5 g 4 Sorbitol 820.0 mg 410.0 g 5 Aspartame 4.0 mg 2.0 g 6 PEG 6000 20.0 mg 10.0 g 7 Strawberry flavor 15.0 mg 7.5 g 8 Magnesium stearate 3.0 mg 1.5 g TOTAL 1000.0 mg 500.0 g Preparation method The components 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5, previously weighed e sieved, were transferred to a fluidized bed (Niro Aeromatic Strea 1). The granulation was carried out with a PEG 6000 aqueous solution in 50 ml of water with a 10 ml/minute flow (peristaltic pump) and with inlet air temperature of 40 C.

The resulting granulate, after drying, cooling and sieving, was mixed with the components 7 and 8.

The mixture obtained was tabletted with a 16 mm diameter punch.

12 .xamp e-2 Nimesulide mouth-soluble tablets (100 mg of Nimesulide per 1.0 g tablet, diameter 16 mm) Amount x Amount per batch 1000 mg tbl 500 g tbl (500 tbl) 1 Nimesulide 100.0-mg 50.0 g 2 Citric acid crystals 38.0 mg 19.0 g 3 Sorbitol 820.0 mg 410.0 g 4 Aspartame 4.0 mg 2.0 g 5 PEG 6000 20.0 mg 10.0 g 6 Strawberry flavor 15.0 mg 7.5 g 7 Magnesium stearate 3.0 mg 1.5 g TOTAL 1000,0 mg 500.0 g Preparation method The components 1, 2, 3 and 4, previously weighed and sieved, were transferred to a fluidized bed (Niro Aeromatic Strea 1). The granulation was carried out with a PEG 6000 aqueous solution in 50 ml of water with a 10 ml/minute flow (peristaltic pump) and with inlet air temperature of 50 C.

The resulting granulate, after drying, cooling and sieving, was mixed with the components 6 and 7.

The mixture obtained was tabletted with a 16 mm diameter punch.

Example 3 Mouth-soluble multi-vitamin tablet (1.0 g tablets, diameter 16 mm).

WO 99/04758 _ PCT/EP98/04514

13 Amount x Amount x batch 1000 mg tbl 600 g tbl (600 tbl) 1 Vitamin B12 0.1% 1.4 mg 0.840 g 2 Vitamin B2 5 phosph. Na 2 H20 1.9 mg 1.140 g 3 Vitamin A palmi-tate 250 cws 8.33 mg 4.988 g 4 Vitamin B1 mono-nitrate 1.10 mg 0.660 g 5 Vitamin B6 HC1 1.61 mg 0.966 g 6 Vitamin C 56.25 mg 33.750 g 7 Vitamin D3 100 cws 5.0 mg 3.000 g 8 Vitamin E 50%
acetate 23.99 mg 14.394 g 9 Folic acid 0.134 mg 0.081 g 10 Biotin 0.036 mg 0.021 g 11 Vitamin PP 33 1/3 rocoat 42.90 mg 25.740 g 12 Carotene (tab 10% And) 15.0 mg 9.000 g 13 Sorbitol 761.35 mg 456.810 g

14 Citric acid 38.0 mg 22.800 g

15 Aspartame 5.0 mg 3.000 g

16 PEG 6000 20.0 mg 12.000 g

17 Orange flavor 15.0 mg 9.000 g

18 Magnesium stearate 3.0 mg 1.800 g TOTAL 1000,0 mg 600.000 g Pregaration method.
The components 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 and 15, previously weighed and sieved, were transferred to a fluidized bed (Niro Aeromatic Strea 1). The granulation was carried out with a PEG 6000 aqueous solution in 60 ml of water with a 8 ml/minute flow (peristaltic pump) and with inlet air temperature of 35 C.
The resulting granulate, after drying, cooling and sieving, was mixed with the remaining components.

The mixture obtained was tabletted with a 16 mm diameter punch.

Example 4 Acetylsalicylic acid mouth-soluble tablets (300 mg of acetylsalicylic acid for 1.1 g tablet, diameter 16 mm) Am. x tbl Am. x a batch 1100 mg 220 g (200 tbl) 1 Sorbitol 745 mg 149.0 g 2 Aspartam 4.0 mg 0.8 g 3 PEG 6000 20.0 mg 4.0 g 4 Acetylsalicylic acid 300.0 mg 60.0 g 5 Strawberry flavor 25.0 mg 5.0 g 6 Magnesium stearate 6.0 mg 1.2 g TOTAL 1100.0 mg 220 g Preparation method The components 1 and 2, previously weighed and sieved, were transferred to a fluidized bed (Niro Aeromatic Strea 1). The granulation was carried out with a PEG 6000 aqueous solution in 50 ml of water with a 10 ml/minute flow (peristaltic pump) and with inlet air temperature of 45 C.

WO 99/04758 _ PCT/EP98/04514 The resulting granulate, after drying, cooling and sieving, was mixed with the components 4, 5 and 6.
The mixture obtained was tabletted with a 16 mm diameter punch.
5 Example 5 Paracetamol (Pharmazome I.R.) mouth-soluble tablets (500 mg of paracetamol for 2.0 g tablet, diameter 19 mm) Am. x tbl Am. x a batch 2000 mg 500 g (500 tbl) 10 1 Paracetamol Ph.z. I.R. 750.0 mg 225.0 g 2 Mannitol 280.0 mg 84.0 g 3 Xylitol 841.0 mg 525.3 g 4 Citric acid crystals 40.0 mg 12.0 g 15 5 Sodium bicarbonate 40.0 mg 12.0 g 6 Aspartame 4.0 mg 1.2 g 7 PEG 6000 20.0 mg 6.0 g 8 Orange flavor 20.0 mg 6.0 g 9 Magnesium stearate 5.0 mg 1.5 g TOTAL 2000.0 mg 600.0 g Preparat i on method The components 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, previously weighed and sieved, were transferred to a fluidized bed (Niro Aeromatic Strea 1). The granulation was carried out with a PEG 6000 aqueous solution in 60 ml of water with a 10 ml/minute flow (peristaltic pump) and with inlet air temperature of 50 C.

The resulting granulate, after drying, cooling and sieving, was mixed with the components 8 and 9.

The mixture obtained was tabletted with a 19 mm diameter punch.

WO 99/04758 _ PCT/EP98/04514 Fxa le 6 Green tea mouth-soluble tablets (50 mg of Green tea for 1.8 g tablet, diameter 19 mm) Am. x tbl Am. x a batch 1500 mg 750 g (500 tbl) 1 Green tea 50.0 mg 25.00 g 2 Sorbitol 1337.0 mg 668.50 g 3 Citric acid crystals 40.0 mg 20.00 g 4 Sodium bicarbonate 20.0 mg 10.00 g 5 Aspartame 9.0 mg 4.50 g 6 PEG 6000 15.0 mg 7.50 g 7 Berry flavor 25.0 mg 12.50 g 8 Magnesium stearate 4.0 mg 2.00 g TOTAL 1500.0 mg 750.00 g Preparation method The components 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, previously weighed and sieved, were transferred to a fluidized bed (Niro Aeromatic Strea 1). The granulation was carried out with a PEG 6000 aqueous solution in 50 ml of water with a 11.2 ml/minute flow (peristaltic pump) and with inlet air temperature of 50 C.

The resulting granulate, after drying, cooling and sieving, was mixed with the components 7 and 8.
The mixture obtained was tabletted with a 19 mm diameter punch.

Examble 7 Cimetidine mouth-soluble tablets (50 mg of Cimetidine for 1.0 g tablet, diameter 16 mm) Am. x tbl Am. x a batch 1000 mg 700 g (700 tbl) 1 Cimetidine 50.0 mg 35.000 g 2 Xylitol 7.5 mg 5.250 g 3 Aerosil 2000 3.0 mg 2.100 g 4 Monoammonium glycyrrhizinate 0.3 mg 0.210 g 5 Aspartame 4.0 mg 2.800 g 6 Eudragit L30D55 10.0 mg 7.000 g 7 Talc 5.08 mg 3.556 g 8 Simethicone antifoam 0.12 mg 0.084 g 9 Triethyl citrate 1.0 mg 0.700 g 10 Xylitol 831.0 mg 581.700 g 11 PEG 6000 20.0 mg 14.000 g 12 Citric acid crystals 19.0 mg 13.300 g 13 Sodium bicarbonate 19.0 mg 13.300 g 14 Raspberry flavor 25.0 mg 17.500 g 15 Magnesium stearate 5.0 mg 3.500 g TOTAL 1000,0 mg 700.000 g Prepara#;ion method The components 1, 2 and 3, previously weighed and sieved, were transferred to a fluidized bed. First a solution of the components 4 and 5 in 50 ml of water was sprayed, then a dispersion of the components 6, 7, 8 and 9 in 20 ml of water. After drying, the components _25 10, 12 and 13 and were added, granulating with a solution of PEG 6000 in 60 ml of water, using a 10 mi/minute flow (peristaltic pump) and with inlet air temperature of 50 C.

The resulting granulate, after drying, cooling and sieving, was mixed with the components 14 and 15.

The mixture obtained was tabletted with a 16 mm WO 99/04758 _ PCTIEP98/04514 diameter punch.
Example 8 Ibuprofen mouth-soluble tablets (100 mg of Ibuprofen for 1.0 g tablet, diameter 16 mm) Am. x tbl Am. x a batch 1000 mg 500 g (500 tbl) 1 Ibuprofen 100.0 mg 50.0 g 2 Xylitol 10.0 mg 5.0 g 3 Eudragit L30D 55 20.0 mg 10.0 g 4 Talc 10.6 mg 5.3 g 5 Simethicone antifoam 0.24 mg 0.12 g 6 Triethyl citrate 2.0 mg 1.0 g 7 Liquid flavor 0.0001 mg 0.00005 g 8 Cremophor RH40 0.0001 mg 0.00005 g 9 Xylitol 751.5598 mg 375.7799 g 10 Citric acid crystals 50.0 mg 25.0 g 11 Aspartame 10.0 mg 5.0 g 12 Polyoxylresin WRSN10 6.6 mg 3.3 g 13 Mint flavor 5.0 mg 2.5 g 14 Orange flavor 30.0 mg 15.0 g 15 Magnesium stearate 4.0 mg 2.0 g TOTAL 1000,0 mg 500.0 g Preparation method The components 1 and 2, previously weighed and sieved, were transferred into a fluidized bed. First a solution of the components 3, 4, 5 and 6 in 11.5 ml of water was sprayed, and then a solution of the components 7 and 8 in 25 ml of water. After drying, the components WO 99/04758 . PCT/EP98l04514

19 9, 10 and 11 were added, granulating with a solution of 12 in 50 ml of water, using a 10 ml/minute flow (peristaltic pump) and with inlet air temperature of 40 C.
The resulting granulate, after drying, cooling and sieving, was mixed with the components 13, 14 and 15.

The mixture obtained was tabletted with a 16 mm diameter punch.

Example 9 N-Acetyl-cysteine month-soluble tablets (200 mg of N-Acetyl-cysteine for 1.2 g tablet, diameter 16 mm).

Am. x tbl Am. x. a 1200 mg Batch 600 g 1 N-Acetyl-cysteine 200 mg 100.0 g 2 Citric acid 21.8 mg 10.9 g 3 Mannitol 476.0 mg 238.0 g 4 Sorbitol 221.0 mg 110.5 g 5 Polyplasdone CL 60.0 mg 30.0 g 6 PEG 6000 15.0 mg 7.5 g 7 Magnesium Stearate 8.0 mg 4.0 g 8 Aspartame 10.0 mg 5.0 g 9 Sodium Bicarbonate 98.2 mg 49.1 g 10 Avicel CE 15 60.0 mg 30.0 g 11 Lemon Flavor 15.0 mg 7.5 g 12 Tangerine Flavor 15.0 mg 7.5 g TOTAL 1200 mg 600.0 g Pre ap ration Method The components 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, previously weighed and sieved, were transferred to a fluidized bed (Niro Aeromatic Strea 1). The granulation was carried out with a PEG 6000 aqueous solution in 50 ml of water with a 11.2 mi/minute flow (Peristaltic pump) and with inlet air temperature of 50 C.
The resulting granulate, after drying, cooling and sieving, was mixed with the component 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 5 and 12.
The mixture obtained was tabletted with 16 mm diameter punch.
In the following table, the results of the physical controls carried out on the preparations of Examples 1-9 10 are listed.

20 WO 99/04758 _ PCT/EP98/04514

21 LO
O o rn n Ln o 0 = ko N = O
O O c-I .-1 l~ kO
l- O
t'- O N
00 = = tt7 O = O
O O .-1 .-1 t0 tD
OD O O
c- LO 0 n o = %D O = o o O= .=-4 r-i V-i M w o ko ~ ~ o O o = = o~ ~r; = ~r o a r-q Ln l- LO 0 O O
= d1 O = O
O O= r-1 N c=i O e==I 0 ko 0 O
= tp .-! = O
O O .-1 c-I tD M
O O O
O O O
= = ~O O = N
O O e-I .-1 t~ e- I
O t+ O
N t~- d+ O d~
t0 O = O
O 0 r-; r-I t~ cr) 'd' O O
r-i [" LO 0 0 L[1 = = kD 0 = N
O O e-i .-I t~ .-I
.-~ .~
r-1 r{

~71 Cf1 ~
~
+j p to -'-I O '-1 p ro O 10 .P vl m ~n nl m 0 vl a) N *-I N =i-J -P -P N -P
I
o a a~ o w ro ~ ~ ~
W
a .ca FG ~~ ~ e-+ ca ~ x r~ --

Claims (11)

1. A process for the preparation of a granulate for use in the preparation of mouth-soluble, rapidly disintegrating tablets, which comprises granulating in a fluidizing bed, a bed of solids consisting of:

- a polyalcohol, - from 1 to 30% of an edible acid or an effervescent mixture of acids and bases for alimentary use in amount lower than 20% by weight on the total composition - optionally other solid components with an aqueous granulating liquid containing an amount of water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer ranging from 1 to 10% by weight on the total composition.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the amount of the acid or of the effervescent mixture is lower than 5% by weight on the total composition.

3. A process according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the acid is citric acid.

4. A process according to claim 3 wherein the amount of citric acid ranges from 1 to 4% by weight on the total composition.

5. A process according any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycols, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxy-propylmethyl cellulose, xanthan gum, polyethylene oxide, polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene copolymers, acrylic and methacrylic acid polymers, carrageenin and polyvinyl alcohol.

6. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the polyalcohol is selected from the group consisting of mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, erythritol, maltitol, lactitol.

7. A process according to claim 6 wherein the polyalcohol is xylitol or sorbitol.

8. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the bed of solids includes an active ingredient.

9. A process according to claim 8 wherein the active ingredient is coated.

10. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the bed of solids includes one or more of a lubricant.

11. A mouth-soluble, rapidly disintegrating tablet which is prepared by compression of a granulate obtained through the process of any one of claims 1 to 10.