Chewable tablets are a type of oral solid dosage form that are designed to be chewed or crushed in the mouth before swallowing, rather than being swallowed whole. They are formulated to disintegrate and release the active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) quickly upon chewing.
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Chewable tablets are often used for pediatric and geriatric patients who may have difficulty swallowing whole tablets or capsules.
The chewable formulation can improve the absorption and bioavailability of certain drugs compared to traditional solid oral dosage forms.
Chewable tablets are typically flavored to improve palatability and patient acceptance, especially for pediatric medications.
The chewing action can help to disintegrate the tablet and release the active ingredient more quickly than swallowing a whole tablet.
Careful formulation is required to ensure the chewable tablet maintains its structural integrity during chewing and provides the desired drug release profile.
Review Questions
Explain how the chewable tablet formulation can improve the bioavailability of certain drugs compared to traditional solid oral dosage forms.
The chewable tablet formulation can improve bioavailability by facilitating faster disintegration and dissolution of the drug in the mouth. The chewing action increases the surface area of the tablet exposed to saliva, which can enhance the rate and extent of drug absorption. This is particularly beneficial for drugs that have poor solubility or are susceptible to first-pass metabolism, as the chewable format can bypass some of these limitations compared to swallowing a whole tablet.
Describe the key considerations in the development of a chewable tablet formulation.
When developing a chewable tablet, formulators must carefully balance factors such as palatability, disintegration, and drug release profile. The tablet must have the appropriate hardness and friability to withstand chewing, yet still disintegrate rapidly in the mouth. Flavoring agents, sweeteners, and other excipients are added to improve the taste and mouthfeel, encouraging patient acceptance and compliance. The drug substance must also be compatible with the chewable tablet matrix and provide the desired therapeutic effect upon release.
Analyze the role of chewable tablets in improving medication adherence, particularly for pediatric and geriatric patients.
Chewable tablets can significantly improve medication adherence for patients who have difficulty swallowing whole tablets or capsules, such as children and the elderly. The ability to chew the medication rather than swallowing it whole can make the dosage form more palatable and easier to take, leading to better acceptance and compliance. This is especially important for chronic or long-term treatments, where consistent and reliable drug administration is crucial for achieving the desired therapeutic outcomes. By overcoming barriers to swallowing solid oral dosage forms, chewable tablets can enhance the overall effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in these patient populations.
Related terms
Disintegration: The process by which a tablet breaks down into smaller fragments upon contact with a liquid medium, such as saliva in the mouth.
Bioavailability: The degree and rate at which an active drug ingredient is absorbed from a dosage form and becomes available at the site of drug action.
Palatability: The pleasant taste and mouthfeel of a medication, which can improve patient acceptance and compliance.