| abstract |
A microcrystalline cellulose-based excipient having improved compressibility, whether utilized in direct compression. Figure graphically shows a comparison of the tensile strength of tablets prepared in accordance with the invention and prior art tablets. Dry granulation or wet granulation formulations, is disclosed. The excipient is an agglomerate of microcrystalline cellulose particles and an effective amount of a surfactant, which, in preferred embodiments is an anionic surfactant present in amounts ranging from about 0.1 % to about 0.5 %, by weight of the microcrystalline cellulose, wherein the microcrystalline cellulose and surfactant are in intimate association with each other. One preferred anionic surfactant utilized in the novel excipient is sodium lauryl sulfate. |