Direct compression acetaminophen: Preparation and functional modification by co-drying with microcrystalline cellulose

In this study, acetaminophen was co-dried with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to produce a directly compressible formulation. The effects of co-drying were compared to wet granulation and physical mixing. Two MCC slurries with different particle morphologies and functionalities (bulk density, Carr's index, tensile strength, and rate constant of water uptake) were used in the co-drying process to manipulate powder flowability, bulk density, compactibility, friability and the disintegration ability of the direct compression formulations. Co-drying and wet granulation methods remarkably improved the functionality of acetaminophen as compared to physical mixing. Further, co-drying produced samples with greater bulk density than did wet granulation. The functionality of the coprocessed samples was dependent on the selected MCC. In conclusion, the compactibility and powder flowability of acetaminophen can be modified by co-drying with 10% w/w MCC to prepare direct compression formulations. The functionality of the direct compression formulation could be manipulated by selection of MCC.