Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms Laboratory Manual

PREPARATION # : EFFERVESCENT GRANULES

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I. Objectives:

1. Determine the different methods of preparation of granules.

2. Differentiate the various methods of preparation of granules.
3. Know the rationale of the composition of the effervescent granules.

II. Materials:

Sodium bicarbonate Drying Oven

Anhydrous Citric Acid Aluminum Foil
Tartaric Acid Sieve #12
Mortar and Pestle Wide mouth bottle
Purified Water Weighing Balance

III. Discussion:

Granules are prepared agglomerates of small particles of powder. They are

irregularly shaped but may be spherical. It uses a 4-12 sieve size range.
Effervescent Granulated Salts are granules or coarse to very coarse powders
containing a medicinal agent in a dry mixture. It is composed of sodium
bicarbonate, citric acid, and tartaric acid.
Method of Preparation: Dry/Fusion Method and Wet Method

IV. Formula:

Ingredients: Original Amount

Sodium bicarbonate 8.01 g
Citric acid 2.33 g
Tartaric acid 4.66 g
Purified water q.s.

V. Procedure:

1. Weigh the sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and tartaric acid individually.
2. Triturate the sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and tartaric acid individually.
Blend.
3. If the mixture is not wet, add a sufficient amount of purified water to make it
wet.
4. Pass the wet powdered-mixtures through sieve #12.
5. Collect the wet granules.

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 Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms Laboratory Manual

6. Oven dry the wet granules for one hour at 54 C.

7. Weigh the dry granules and store them in a wide mouth bottle.
8. Label properly.

VI. Clean-Up Procedure:

1. Clean the sieve and return it to the laboratory assistant/technician.

2. Clean all your laboratory apparatus using soap and water. Wipe dry and
return them to your assigned locker cabinet.
3. Clean your working area before leaving the laboratory.

VII. References:

Allen, L.V., Popovich, N.G. & Ansel, H.C. (2018). Powders & Granules Ansel’s
Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery System (11th edition) (pp. 184-
202). Philadelphia: Wolter Kluwer/Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Allen, L.V. Oral Solid Dosage Forms In Remington: The Science & Practice of
Pharmacy (23rd edition) (pp. 947-976). Philadelphia: Pharmaceutical Press.