Tablets with improved friability

Abstract

Tablets are prepared with friability reducing agents to yield tablets that are more resistant to breakage or crumbling, but with satisfactory hardness. The friability reducing agents include low molecular weight polyethylene glycol as well as similar agents exhibiting at least three percent (3%) hydroxide moieties and a water solubility of at least eighty percent (80%) (w/w %) in room temperature water. The tablets may comprise an active agent and excipient of almost any type, and about 0.1-about 0.5% by weight friability reducing agent. They exhibit a hardness of at least eighty percent (80%) of the same tablet prepared without the friability reducing agent.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A tablet exhibiting reduced friability, said tablet comprising:
 A) An active agent;   B) an excipient compatible with said active agent; and   C) an agent to reduce friability, wherein said agent to reduce friability is a polyethylene glycol of molecular weight of 200-1000, present in amounts of about 0.1%-about 5.0% by weight of the tablet, wherein said tablet comprising said friability reducing agent exhibits a hardness of at least eighty percent (80%) of the hardness exhibited by said tablet prepared in the absence of said friability reducing agent.   
     
     
         12 . The tablet of  claim 11 , wherein said active agent is selected from the group consisting of a flavor, an aroma, a medication, a nutritional product, a bleach, a detergent, an herbicide, an insecticide or bactericide 
     
     
         13 . The tablet of  claim 11 , wherein said tablet comprises an effervescent couple which combine to release carbon dioxide when the tablet is moistened. 
     
     
         14 . The tablet of  claim 11  wherein said active agent is a medication. 
     
     
         15 . The tablet of  claim 13 , wherein said medication is selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutical preparation available with a prescription, an over-the-counter product, a gastric acid neutralizer, a laxative, and an anti-flatulent. 
     
     
         16 . The tablet of  claim 11 , wherein said friability reducing agent is comprised of polyethylene glycol 400. 
     
     
         17 . The tablet of  claim 11 , wherein said excipient is a stabilizer, lubricant, a binder, a disintegrant, or a coating. 
     
     
         18 . The tablet of  claim 11 , wherein said active agent comprises a nutritional product. 
     
     
         19 . The tablet of  claim 11 , wherein said tablet is intended for consumption by an animal. 
     
     
         20 . The tablet of  claim 19 , wherein said animal is a mammal. 
     
     
         21 . The tablet of  claim 20 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         22 . A tablet exhibiting reduced friability, said tablet comprising:
 A) An active agent;   B) an excipient compatible with said medication; and   C) an agent to reduce friability, wherein said agent to reduce friability is glycerin, present in amounts of about 0.1%-about 5.0% by weight of the tablet, wherein said tablet comprising said friability reducing agent exhibits a hardness of at least eighty percent (80%) of the hardness exhibited by said tablet prepared in the absence of said friability reducing agent.