Diluents are fillers used to increase the bulk volume of a tablet or capsule. By combining a diluent with the active pharmaceutical ingredients, the final product is given adequate weight and size to assist in production and handling.
To provide satisfactory performance in a tablet dosage form, a diluent should be:
- Inert so as not to cause pharmacological activity of its own
- Compatible with the drug substance and other excipients used in the formulation
- Non-hygroscopic so the formulation does not absorb significant amounts of moisture from its surroundings
- Compactable and of similar particle size to the active ingredient
- Nonconducive to microbiological development
Diluents may serve multiple functions in addition to being filler. Multifunctional starch excipients, such as Starch 1500® partially pregelatinized maize starch and StarCap 1500® co-processed starch excipient can serve as binders, disintegrants, flow aids, lubricants and/or taste masking. They also promote formulation flexibility by complementing and enhancing the functionality of other excipients.
Starch 1500
Starch 1500 is a unique pharmaceutical excipient which provides good binding and granulation properties, yet retains effective tablet disintegrant properties. The physical structure of Starch1500 also imparts good compactability, flow and lubrication capabilities. It is extremely versatile as a diluent, being effective in a variety of processing methods for solid oral dosage forms.
StarCap 1500
StarCap1500 is a unique co-processed mixture of globally accepted excipients designed for use in capsules and tablets. StarCap1500 is an inert free flowing, low dust excipient with disintegration and dissolution properties that are independent of media pH. StarCap1500 exhibits good physical, chemical, and microbiological stability and its multi-functionality make it an excellent choice for use as a diluent in either capsules or tablets.
Contact Colorcon to learn how our multifunctional excipients can meet your unique needs.
