PELLETIZATION

Pelletization is an agglomeration process that converts fine powders or granules of bulk drugs and excipients into small, free flowing, spherical or semi spherical units, referred to as pellets. The methods used for Pelletization are essentially the same as the granulation methods. The most widely used processes are extrusion and spheronization and solution or suspension layering, and powder layering. Other processes with limited application in the development of pharmaceutical palletized products include globulation, balling, and compression. The major factors that must be considered include the intended dose and the physicochemical properties of the drug, such as solubility, pKa and particle size. The polymer coating must remain intact during compaction in order to extend the drug release. The formulations of the pellet core and the final tablet have to be carefully selected in order to prevent the rupture of the coating, and to obtain tablets with proper content uniformity, hardness.