Magnesium stearate as anti-tacking agent in acrylic polymer films intended for gas-entrapped floating delivery system

Abstract

In development of effervescent-based floating tablets, acrylic polymer is used to prepare a gas-entrapped membrane of the system. The tackiness of this acrylic polymer film causes tablet agglomeration, leading to failure in floatation. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of magnesium stearate (MS) used as anti-tacking agent on mechanical and wetting properties of the acrylic polymer (Eudragit® RL 30D) films. Incorporating MS resulted in the films with a slightly lowered puncture strength, a highly lowered elongation and an increased contact angle. These results indicated that flexibility and wettability of these films were reduced by addition of MS. Furthermore, the film tackiness measurement by peel test showed that 5% (w/w) of MS could significantly decrease the tackiness of the films. It was demonstrated that MS was a promising candidate to be used as an anti-tacking agent for effervescent-based floating tablets. © (2012) Trans Tech Publications.