Effervescent tablets are uncoated tablet preparations containing mixtures of medicinal agents

with acid substances and carbonates or hydrogen carbonates, which react rapidly in the presence
of water to release carbon dioxide. They are solid dosage forms which are intended to be
dissolved or dispersed in a glass of water before administration.

Effervescent tablets have specific characteristics that allow rapid adsorption and dissolution of
the intended drug. The availability of dosage forms based on effervescence technology gained
much importance with the technology of Alka-Seltzer in the 1930s. The widespread use of
effervescent tablets has been achieved as a result of their convenience and also the ease in which
they can be consumed.

In addition to active ingredients, effervescent tablets contain:

1. Acid Components

a. Citric acid

b. Tartaric acid

c. Ascorbic acid
d. Malic acid
e. Other sources of acid components :acid, nicotinic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, succinic and
adipic acids, acid anhydrides (e.g., glutaric anhydride, succinic anhydride, etc.) and acid
salts (e.g., amino acid hydrochlorides, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, acid citrate salts,
etc.).
2. Alkali Components
a. Sodium bicarbonate
b. Other sources of alkali components: potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate and
calcium carbonate.
3. Binders

The ideal amount of binder is one that makes the tablet hard enough to handle but soft enough to
disintegrate and dry enough to be stable. PEG 6000 at 3 % use level can be used as a dry binder.
However, most effervescent products are formulated without a binder because of its
disadvantage of carrying free moisture into the tablets.

4. Lubricants

Most formulators have to use water-soluble lubricants such as sodium benzoate, polyethylene
glycol, and adipic acid. These are minimally effective and depend heavily on the granulation
method used. Sodium chloride, sodium acetate, and D, L-leucine (water-soluble lubricants) have
also been suggested for effervescent tablets lubrication.

5. Disintegrants/ Dissolution aids

6. Sweeteners
Effervescent formulations often contain sweeteners e.g., sorbitol, sucrose, aspartame or other
natural sweeteners. Saccharin sodium can be used with sodium cyclamate in a 9:1 ratio. Water-
soluble flavors may be added to mask unpleasant taste and make the product palatable.

7. Colorants

Dyes or lake pigments may be included in the formulation to produce colored solutions or
products. Color stability is also important and thus, colorants should be chosen as anhydrous
material. Dried flower bud, herbs, chamomile extract may be used for this purpose.

8. Surfactants

These are added to effervescent formulations to increase wettability.

9. Antifoaming agents

In some cases, antifoaming agents (e.g. Polydimethylsiloxane) may be included in the

formulation to reduce foam formation, and consequently, reduce the tendency of drugs to stick to
the wall of the glass above the water level.