17/10/2026
Why Do Some Tablets Break Easily?
Some pharmaceutical active ingredients (APIs) are moisture-sensitive and may not be suitable for wet granulation. In such cases, direct compression can be an ideal manufacturing method.
What is Direct Compression?
Direct compression is a tablet-manufacturing method in which a powder blend containing the API and suitable excipients is compressed directly into tablets, without undergoing wet or dry granulation.
Basic process:
Weighing → Sieving → Blending → Lubrication → Compression
Typical excipients include:
- Diluents/fillers: Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), lactose, mannitol
- Disintegrants: Croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone
- Glidant: Colloidal silicon dioxide
- Lubricant: Magnesium stearate
Why Can Some Tablets Break Easily?
Tablet breakage or excessive friability can result from:
- Insufficient compression force
- Poor binding between powder particles
- Excessive lubricant, especially magnesium stearate
- Improper excipient ratios
- High tablet porosity
- Poor powder flow or uneven die filling
- Over-drying of the formulation
- Changes in moisture during storage
- Mechanical stress during packaging, transportation, or handling
Examples of tablets that may be manufactured by direct compression include: Vitamin C, aspirin, and some enalapril formulations.
Therefore, a tablet breaking easily is not necessarily due to direct compression. The formulation, compression parameters, excipients, storage conditions, and handling can all influence tablet strength.