Mechanisms of Drug Release from Matrices Prepared with Aqueous Dispersion of Ethylcellulose

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of acetaminophen (APAP) release from tablets prepared by the wet granulation method using an aqueous polymeric dispersion (Surelease) as a granulating agent. Tablets compressed from granules containing 10% w/w acetaminophen and 13.44% w/w total solids from Surelease released only 52.4% w/w drug after 120 min of dissolution testing, while controlled tablets without Surelease released 94.1% w/w drug. In order to prepare control tablets of 6.8 Kp hardness value, the upper compressional force recorded was 15.87 kN while tablets containing 13.44% w/w of total solids from Surelease had a recorded force of 6.28 kN. The drug release from tablets prepared with Surelease as a granulating liquid followed the diffusion-controlled model for an inert porous matrix