title: Development and evaluation of sustained-release Compritol® 888 ATO matrix mini-tablets.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sustained-release mini-tablets are a potentially suitable for paediatric drug delivery or as multi-particulate dosage forms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the potential for developing lipophilic matrix mini-tablets and to assess the effects of Compritol® 888 ATO concentration on drug release from differently sized mini-tablets prepared by direct compression.
  
  
  METHODS
  A formulation comprising theophylline as a model soluble drug, 15% w/w Compritol® 888 ATO as the inert matrix-forming agent, with dibasic dicalcium phosphate anhydrous and lactose as diluents was evaluated by producing 12 mm tablets at a range of compression speeds and forces. The same formulation and further formulations with 25, 35 or 45% w/w Compritol® 888 ATO were evaluated by producing 2, 3 and 4 mm mini-tablets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Drug release from matrix tablets was sustained over a period of 12 hours and release rate varied according to the compression force and speed employed. The rate of drug release from matrix mini-tablets was more rapid and increasing Compritol® 888 ATO concentration resulted in slower release rates. The rate of drug release from matrix mini-tablets was inversely proportional to mini-tablet size (2 mm > 3 mm > 4 mm). Drug release from the matrix tablets and mini-tablets followed square-root of time kinetics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tailored drug release from matrix mini-tablets may achieved by altering the size of mini-tablet or level of Compritol® 888 ATO in the formulation and this may have potential in the development of paediatric formulations or multi-particulate dosage forms.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. m.roberts1@ljmu.ac.uk
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vellucci
authors.forename: Shabbir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mostafa
authors.forename: Cedric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miolane
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marchaud
mesh_terms: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007700:Kinetics; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D010316:Particle Size; D011312:Pressure; D012995:Solubility; D013607:Tablets; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013806:Theophylline / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005079:Excipients; D005227:Fatty Acids; D013607:Tablets; C086409:glyceryl behenate; D013806:Theophylline