| Abstract: | Microcapsules containing aminophylline cores in ethylcellulose walls have been prepared and tableted. The mechanical properties and the release characteristics of tablets obtained by direct compression at six different pressures (ranging from 265 to 1060 Kg.cm-2) were studied. The release rate of the drug from tableted microcapsules increased with the increase of compression force and was higher than from uncompressed microcapsules, indicating that some damage of the polymeric wall occurred during the compression process. Among the various excipients tested as binding and protective agents, paraffined starch (a mixed system appositely set up) gave the best results, producing the slowest drug release rate. No important effect on drug release rate was found by changing the size of the microcapsules. |
