desintegranter

Desintegrants, or disintegrants, are pharmaceutical excipients added to solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules to promote breakup into smaller fragments after administration, thereby facilitating the release and absorption of the active ingredient. They are not active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Desintegrants work mainly by one or more of three mechanisms: swelling and gel formation that disrupts the tablet matrix, wicking or capillary action that draws water into the tablet to initiate disintegration, and erosion or breakup of the solid structure under the stresses of handling and gastric conditions. The dominant mechanism depends on the material and formulation.

Common desintegrants include starches (native and modified), cellulose derivatives such as croscarmellose sodium and sodium starch glycolate, and synthetic polymers like crospovidone. Some desintegrants are marketed as superdisintegrants with enhanced swelling and rapid onset of action.

They are chosen based on swelling characteristics, compatibility with the active pharmaceutical ingredient, moisture sensitivity, and the desired disintegration time. They are widely used in oral solid dosage forms and can function under standard compression pressures or in multiparticulate systems.

Pharmacopoeial tests assess disintegration times as part of quality control, and additional dissolution testing may be used. Manufacturers consider particle size, moisture content, and potential interactions with active ingredients to ensure consistent performance.

Limitations include potential allergen exposure from starch-based sources and possible interactions with certain APIs. Some formulations may require alternative desintegrants or higher compression force. Proper selection and validation ensure reliable disintegration and release of the API.