A novel powder coating process for attaining taste masking and moisture protective films applied to tablets

A novel powder coating process was developed for the application of taste masking and moisture protective films on tablets while avoiding the use of solvents or water. The coalescence of particles to form a polymeric film was investigated through studies of dry powder layering of micronized acrylic polymer (E PO) to produce free films. Theophylline containing tablets were coated with the same acrylic polymer in a laboratory scale spheronizer using a powder coating technique. The dry powder layer delayed the onset of drug release in pH 6.8 medium, depending on the coating level, while no delay was observed in pH 1.0 medium. The presence of hydrophilic polymers in the acrylic coating layer decreased the lag time for drug release in pH 6.8 medium, while only the presence of HPMC in the film slowed the drug release rate in acidic medium. The dry coating process was demonstrated to be a reliable alternative to solvent or aqueous film coating technologies for applying taste masking and moisture protective film coats onto compressed tablets. A controlled drug release profile was achieved in pH 6.8 media.