CA2088334C

CA2088334C - Fast dissolving tablet and its production

Info

Publication number: CA2088334C
Application number: CA002088334A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Tadashi Makino; Masayuki Yamada; Jun-Ichi Kikuta
Original assignee: Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd
Priority date: 1992-01-29
Filing date: 1993-01-28
Publication date: 2004-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2013-01-28
Also published as: CA2088334A1; DE69331839T2; JP3069458B2; JPH05271054A; EP0553777B1; KR100258223B1; JP4336021B2; TW249756B; US5501861A; EP0553777A2; JP2000264836A; DE69331839D1; EP0553777A3; US5720974A; ATE216577T1; KR930016092A

Abstract

A method of producing a fast dissolving tablet comprising compression-molding a composition comprising an active ingredient, a carbohydrate and a barely sufficient amount of water to moisten the surface of particles of said carbohydrate into a tablet form and a fast dissolving tablet obtainable by the method.
The active ingredient may for example be a vitamin, a gastrointestinal function conditioning agent or an antipyretic-analgesic-antiinflammatory agent. The carbohydrate includes sugar, starch sugars, lactose, honey, sugar alcohols and tetroses. The amount of water to be added is about 0.3 to 10% by weight.
The above fast dissolving tablet has a porous structure with excellent disintegratability and solubility as well as adequate strength.

Description

FAST DISSOLVING TABLET AND ITS PRODUCTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fast dissolving tablet comprising a pharmacologically active ingredient, such as a vitamin, antipyretic-analgesic-antiinflammato-ry agent, antihypertensive drug, psycl-~tropic drug, antidia-betic drug or the like, and a carbohydrate, having an adequate strength and capable of dissolving and disinte-grating at a high rate in the oral cavity and to a method of producing the tablet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently much research has been undertaken in the geriatric field ranging from the physiology of aging to the design of drugs and pharmaceutical preparations to daily care and assistance. According to, inter alia, the silver science research conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, there is an interesting research report entitled 'Studies for the construction of new pharmaceutical preparations and new packaging contain-ers optimal for administration to elderly subjects' (Masayasu Sugihara, Tokyo Women's Medical College, and others) (August 22, 1989 issue of the Yakuji Nippo). By ~Q~~~

way of illustration, as such new preparations, a) buccal dissolution type preparations, b) paste-like prepara-Lions and c) jelly-like preparations a:re described.
Particularly buccal dissolution type and paste-like preparations are claimed to be easy for elderly persons to ingest and excellent in stability. The buccal disso-lution type preparations, in particular, contain poly-ethylene glycol 1000 as the base which dissolves in the oral cavity and an oleaginous base as the base which melts at the temperature prevailing in the oral cavity and, in consideration of sensory factors such as taste and texture as well as moldability, further contain sucrose and mannitol. These are molded by filling the pocket of a vinyl chloride molding sheet for press-through package (PTP) use with a heat-melted medicated base and allowing i.t t o cool and take form. In this manner, a bu cca:1 dissolution 'type solid preparation for elderly persons is. manufactured.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 76420/1977 describes a method of manufacturing a porous tablet which features a high disintegration rate insuring rapid dissolution in the oral cavity which comprises placing a magmatic mixture or solution containing 5 to QOo by weight of an inert solvent freezing at a temperature of -30°C to 25°C

and the balance of a tablet-forming composition in an inert cooling medium such as liquid nitrogen to cause solidification, then compressing the resulting granules into tablets at a temperature not higher than 'the freez-ing point of the solvent, and finally removing the solvent by freeze-drying or air drying.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 24410/1983 dis-closes a method of manufacturing a porous tablet with good disintegrability which comprises mixing a tablet-constituting composition with a solvent which is inert to said composition and freezes at a temperature of -30 to +25°C (for example, water, cyclohexane or benzene), the proportion of said solvent being 5 to 80~ by weight, placing the resulting mixture in an inert cooling medium for solidification, compressing the resulting solid into tablets at a temperature lower than the freezing point of said solvent: and evaporating the solvent by freeze-drying or spontaneous drying.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 15830/1986 discloses an antacid composition having a porous and extra fine crystal structure which comprises an antacid and a base for confectionery comprising a sweetener for confection-ery and a plasticizer.
On the other hand, in foreign countries, there are guidelines (e. g. USA"FDA 1983) for research concerning pharmaceutical products for elderly persons and, as a buccal dissolution type solid preparation, Zydis from R.P. Scherer, England, is commercially available, for instance. While the composition of this preparation is not known, it is manufactured by blending an active ingredient with a polymer, sugar a.nd other ingredients, dissolving the blend and freeze-drying the solution (Manuf . Chemist . Feb. .~, 1990 ) .
However, from the standpoint of practical utility as buccal preparations, the conventional products de-scribed above are not fully satisfactory in shelf-life, solubility and the scope of compatible medicament. For Example, the composition described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 15830/1986 is prepared by heating and melting the ingredients, so that it is inferior in the scope of compatible medicament and disintegrat abili-ty of the preparation in the oral cavity. Also, Zydis (trade-mark) mentioned above has problems with the water solubility of the active ingredient, mechanical strength of the preparation, and ~ content of the active ingredi-ent so that it is not satisfactory, either, for adminis-tration to patients of advanced age.
Furthermore, a tablet which disintegrates and dissolves quickly is generally weak in mechanical Trade-mark strength. Therefore, it has been considered necessary to develop a preparation which offers practically ac-ceptable disintegration and dissolution speeds in the oral cavity and, at the same time, possesses a suffi-cient mechanical strength so that it will not be de-stroyed in the course of manufacture and subsequent distribution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fast dissolving tablet having adequate disintegrata-bility and solubility in the oral cavity and sufficient mechanical strength to resist destruction in the course of manufacture and storage.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method of producing a fast dissolving tablet, by which a tablet having the above-mentioned desirable properties can be produced without requiring complicated production procedures.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a fast dissolving tablet which is easy for elderly per-sons and children to ingest and is, therefore, practi-cally useful and a method of producing the tablet.
Under the circumstances described above, the inven-tors of the present invention found, after much research for designing a buccal dissolution type pharmaceutical preparation, that when a mixture comprising a pharmaco-logically active ingredient, a carbohydrate and a barely sufficient amount of water to moisten the surface of particles of the carbohydrate is compression-molded, there is surprisingly obtained a porous tablet having sufficient mechanical strength resisting destruction in the course of manufacture, storage and distribution and yet capable of disintegrat-ing and dissolving rapidly in the oral cavity without resort to complex production steps which are usually required, such as heating, melting, dissolving, freez-ing, etc. and that this tablet is fully suitable for use as a buccal dissolution type tablet. The present inven-tion has been brought into being on the basis of the above findings.
The fast dissolving tablet of the present invention can be manufactured by compression-molding a composition comprising a pharmacologically active ingredient, a carbohydrate and a barely sufficient amount of water to wet the surface of particles of the carbohydrate into a tablet form.
The fast dissolving tablet can be suitably uti-lized as a buccal dissoluble and disintegratable tablet _ 7 _ because of its easy solubility and disintegratability in the oral cavity.
As the pharmacologically active ingredient, there may be mentioned vitamins, crude drugs, antipyretic-analgesic-antiinflammatory agents, antianxiety drugs, hypnotic-sedative agents, gastrointestinal function conditioning agents, antitussive-expectorants, antihyperten-sive drugs, antidiabetic agents, drugs for osteoporosis, skeletal muscle relaxants and so on. The proper propor-tion of the pharmacologically active ingredient in the composition is approximately 0.05 to 90~ by weight.
The carbohydrate which can be used includes su-crose, starch sugars, sugar alcohols, tetroses and so on. The carbohydrate content of the composition may, for example, range from about 10 to 90~ by weight.
The pressure for compression-molding may, for example, range from about 3 to 160 Kg/cm2.
The fast dissolving tablet of the present invention has a porous structure with a porosity of about 20 to 80~.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The pharmacologically active ingredient for use in the present invention may be in any optional form, for example, a solid, particulate, granular, crystalline, or - g _ oily or solution form. The active ingredient may be at least one member selected from the group consisting of nourishing and health-promoting agents, antipyretic-analgesic-inflammatory agents, antipsychotic drugs, antianxiety drugs, antidepressants, hypnotic-sedative agents, spasmolytics, gastrointestinal function condi-tioning agents, antacids, antitussive-expectorants, dental buccal drugs, antihistamines, cardiotonics, antiarrhythmic drugs, diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, vasoconstrictors, coronary vasodilators, peripheral vasodilators, cholagogues, antibiotics, chemotherapeutic drugs, antidiabetic agents, drugs for osteoporosis, skeletal muscle relaxants and so on.
Among the nourishing and health-promoting agents are various vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E (d-a-tocopherol acetate, etc.), vitamin B1 (dibenzoylthiamin, fursu~=famine hydrochloride, etc.), vitamin B2 (riboflavin butyrate, etc.), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride, etc.), vitamin C (ascorbic acid, sodium L-ascorbate, etc.), vitamin B12 (hydroxoco-balamin acetate, etc.); minerals such as calcium, magne-sium, iron; proteins; amino acids; oligosaccharides and crude drugs.
Among the antipyretic-analgesic-antiinflammatory g _ agents are Aspirin; acetaminophen, ethenzamide, ibupro-fen, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, dl-chlorpheniramine maleate, dihydrocodeine phosphate, noscapine, methyl-ephedrine hydrochloride, phenylpropanolamine hydrochlo-ride, caffeine, serratiopeptidase, lysozyme chloride, tolfenamic acid, mefenamic acid, diclofenac sodium, flufenamic acid, salicylamide, aminopyrine, ketoprofen, indomethacin, bucolome, pentazocine and so on.
Among the antipsychotic drugs are chlorpromazine, reserpine and so on. The antianxiety drugs include chlordiazepoxide, diazepam and so on, The antidepres-sants include imipramine, maprotiline, amphetamine and so on. Among the hipnotic-sedatives are estazolam, nitrazepa:n, diazeparn, phenobarbital. sodium and so on.
The spasmolytics include scopolamine hydrobromide, dip henhydramine hydrochloride, papaverine hydrochloride and so on.
The gastrointestinal function conditioning agents include stomachic-digestives such as diastase, saccha rated pepsin, scopolia extract, lipase AP, cinnamon oil, etc. and intestinal function controlling drugs such as berberine chloride, resistant lactic acid bacterium, Lactobacillus bifidus and so on. As the antacids, there may be mentioned magnesium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, magnesium aluminometasilicate, * Trade-mark synthetic hydrotalcite, precipitated calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide and so on.
The antitussive-expectorants include chloperastine hydrochloride, dextromethorphan hydrobromide, theophyl-line, potassium guaiacolsulfonate, gnaifenesin and so on. The dental buccal drugs include oxytetracycline, triamcinolone acetonide, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, lidocaine and so on.
The antihistamines include diphenhydramine hydro-chloride, promethazine, isothipendyl hydrochloride, dl-chlorpheniramine maleate and so on.
The cardiotonics include etilefrine hydrochloride and so on. The antiarrhythmic drugs include procaina-mide hydrochloride, propranolol hydrochloride, pindolol and so on. The diuretics include isosorbide, furosemide and so on. The antihypertensive drugs include delapril hydrochloride, captopril, hexamethonium bromide, hydra-lazine hydrochloride, labetalol hydrochloride, methyldo-pa and so on.
The vasoconstrictors include phenylephrine hydro-chloride etc. The coronary vasodilators include carbo-cromen hydrochloride, molsidomine, verapamil hydrochlo-ride and so on. The peripheral vasodilators include cinnarizine and so on. The cholagogues include dehydro-cholic acid, trepibutone and so on.
The antibiotics include cephems, penems and car-bapenems such as cefalexin, amoxicillin, pivmecillinam hydrochloride, cefotiam dihydrochloride and so on. The chemotherapeutic drugs include sulfamethizole, thiazo-sulfone and so on. The antidiabetic agents include tolbutamide, voglibose and so on. The drugs for osteo-porosis include ipriflavone and so on. The skeletal muscle relaxants include methocarvamol and so on.
The active ingredient may have been diluted with a diluent which is used generally in the pharmaceutical or food industry. At least one of active ingredients may be oily.
Preferred examples of such active ingredient for purposes of the present invention are the vitamins, crude drugs, antipyretic-analgesic-antiinflammatory agents, antianxiety drugs, hypnotic-sedative agents, gastrointestinal function conditioning agents, antitus-sive-expectorants,antihypertensive drugs, antidiabetic agents, drugs for osteoporosis, skeletal muscle relax-ants mentioned hereinbefore.
The recommendable proportion of the active ingredi-ent in the composition comprising it, a carbohydrate and water is dependent on its type but is generally about 0.05 to 90~ by weight and preferably 0.1 to 70~ by ~I~~~~~1 v2 -weight and more preferably 0.3 t o 60 o by weight.
The carbohydrate for use in the present invention may be any carbohydrate that is soluble s.n water and does not adversely affect the active ingredient (for example, decomposition of the active ingredient). Thus, for example, sugar, starch sugars, lactose, honey, sugar alcohols,tetroses, etc. can be employed.
The sugar includes, among others, sucrose, coupl-ing sugar, fructoligosaccharides, palatinose and so on.
The starch sugars include, among others, glucose, mal-Lose, powdered syrup, starch syrup, isomerized sugar (fructose) and so on. The lactose includes, among others, lactose, isomerized lactose (lactulose), reduced lactose (lactitol) and so on. The honey may be any of the various types which are commonly used as food. The sugar alcohol includes, among others, sorbitol, manni-tol, reduced malt syrup (maltitol), reduced starch saccharides, xylitol, reduced palatinose and so on.
Tetroses obtainable by fermentation of glucose (e. g.
erythrit o1) can also be employed. These carbohydrates can be used independently or in combination.
The preferred species of carbohydrate for purposes of the present invention are sucrose, glucose, malti tol, xylitol, erythritol and so on.

Mean particle size of the carbohydrate is usually in the range of 1 to 100 ~,m, preferably 20 to 70 ~.lm and more preferably 30 to 50 N.m.
The proportion of the carbohydrate in the above composition varies with the type of active ingredient but generally speaking may be about 10 to 90% by weight, preferably about 20 to 85% by weight and, for still better results, about 30 to 80% by weight.
In the case where the proportion of the active ingredient is in the range of 0.1 to 10 ~S by weight in the composition, where the dosage of the active ingredi-ent is low, the proportion of the carbohydrate in the composition is generally in the range of 30 to 90 % by weight, preferably 50 to 85 $ by weight and more prefer-ably 60 to 85 % by weight. As the examples of the active ingredient whose dosage is low, there may be mentioned diazepam and the like.
In the case where the proportion of the active ingredient is in the range of 10 to 30 % by weight in the composition, where the dosage of the active ingredient is moderate, the proportion of the carbohydrate in the composition is generally 20 to 90 % by weight, prefera-bly 30 to 80 % by weight and more preferably 40 to 75 %
by weight. As the examples of the active ingredient whose dosage is moderate, there may be metnioned antipy-retic-analgesic-inflammatory agents and the like.
In the case where the proportion of the active ingredient is in the range of 30 to 70% by weight in the composition, where the dosage of the active ingredient is high, the proportion of the carbohydrate in the composition is usually 10 to 70% by weight, preferably 15 to 60% by weight and more preferably 20 to 50% by weight. As the examples of the active ingredient whose dosage is high, there may be mentioned vitamin C and the like.
Unless the object of the invention is interfered with, the above-mentioned composition may further contain a variety of additives which are commonly employed in the manufacture of tablets.
The additives mentioned above include, among others, disintegrators, binders, acids, foaming agents, artificial sweeteners, flavorants, lubricants, colorants and so on.
The disintegrators include, among others, corn starch, potato and other starches, carmellose calcium, carmellose sodium and polyvinyl alcohol. When the disintegrators are employed, their preferred proportion is up to about 25%, more preferably from 10 to 25% by weight based on the composition.
The binders include, among others, powdered acacia, gum arabic powder, gelatin and pullulan.
The acids include but are not limited to citric acid, tartaric acid and malic acid. The foaming agents include sodium hydrogen carbonate and so on. The artificial sweeteners include saccharin sodium, dipotas-sium glycyrrhizinate, aspartame, stevia, thaumatin and so on.
The flavorants include but are not limited to lemon, lime, orange and menthol. The lubricants include, among others, magnesium stearate, sucrose fatty acid ester, polyethylene glycols, talc and stearic acid.
The colorants include, among others, various food colors such as FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Red No. 2, FD&C Blue No.
2, etc., food lakes, red iron oxide and so on.
One or more of these additives can be added in appropriate proportions, for example at the blending of the active ingredient with the carbohydrate, at addition of water, in the course of kneading or before and after any of such stages.
The amount of water in the composition may be a barely sufficient amount to moisten the surface of particles of the carbohydrate. In the present inven-tion, the surface of particles of the carohydrate is wetted, so that particles of the carbohydrate adhere to each other mainly at the surface of the particles to give a porous tablet having adequate porosity and hard-ness to buccal tablet by compression-modling.

The proper amount of water, which depends on 'the 'types and amounts of active ingredient, carbohydrate and addi-tines, may be generally 0.3 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.3 to 7% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 3% by weight, for still better results, about 0.7 to 3% by weight and most preferably 1 to 3% by weight based on the weight of the above composition. If the amount of water is too small, -the mechanical (falling impact) strength of tablets will not be sufficiently high, while the use of an excessive amount of water tends to cause adhesion of the active ingredient and others to the molding equipment (for example, the punch and die cavi-ty), thus interfering with molding.
To be specific, when the composition contains 20 to 40% by weight of xylitol and/or maltitol as the carbohy-drate, water ieo added in a proportion of generally 0.5 to 5.0% by weight and preferably 1.0 t o 2.0% by weight relative to the composition. When the composition contains 60 to 80% by weight of sucrose and/or glucose as the carbohydrate, water is added generally in a proportion of 1.5 to 2.5% by weight relative to the composition. Furthermore, when the composition contains 55 to 75% by weight of erythritol as the carbohydrate, water is generally added in a proportion of 1.5 to 2.5%

by weight.
The amount of water may be controlled by adding water to an optional ingredient or mixture thereof, and addition method of water is not limited, and water may be added at once or drop by drop or being sprayed.
For example, to a blended mixture of the active ingredient with the carbohydrate and, if necessary, the additives may be added a barely sufficient amount of water to moisten the surface of carbohydrate particles in the mixture.
The blending of the above ingredients can be car-ried out by any of the conventional blending techniques such as mixing, kneading, sieving and so on. Specifi-cally, Vertical Granulator GV10 (Powrex), Universal*
Kneader (Rata Iron Works, Ltd.), fluidized bed granula-f or FD-5S (Powrex) and Gyrosifter (Tokuju Seisakusho), for instance, can be employed.
The composition comprising an active ingredient, a carbohydrate and water is usually kneaded before making tablets.
The kneading operation of the composition contain-ing water can be carried out by the routine method commonly used in the art. For example, the devices mentioned hereinbefore for the blending of the ingredi-ents can be utilized.
Trade-mark The molding of tablets can be carried out using the equipment commonly used in the granulation and compres-sion-molding of tablets. For example, a single-punch tablet machine (Kikusui Seisakusho) or a rotary tablet machine (Kikusui Seisakusho) can be employed. The molding pressure is generally about 3 to 160 Kg/cm2, preferably about 5 to 130 Kg/cm2 and fox still better results, about 8 to 50 Kg/cm2. The molding temperature is such a temperature that particles of the carbohydrate are not dissolved nor melted, and is generally ambient temperature (20 to 30°C, for instance) and preferably about 25°C.
The tablets thus molded are preferably dried. The drying operation can be carried out by any of the tech-niques used commonly in the art, such as vacuum drying, freeze drying, spontaneous drying and so on.
These tablets can be coated to the extent not adversely affecting the hardness or solubility of the tablets by any coating method that is generally used in the manufacture of coated tablets.
The fast dissolving tablet thus obtained has a porous structure. The term 'porous structure' is used herein to mean a tablet having a porosity of generally 20 to 80$ and preferably 30 to 70$. This porous tablet ~~$~3~~
1~
is excellent in disint egratability and solubility in the oral cavity and has a high falling impact strength.
Thus, the tablet of the invention has a buccal solubility (a time to complete dissolution by saliva in the oral cavity in a healthy adult male) of. generally 0.05 to 3.0 minutes and preferably 0.1 to 1.5 minutes, a disintegration time (a time measured by 'the disintegra-tion test described in Japanese Pharmacopoeia XII) of generally 0.05 to 3.0 minutes and preferably 0.1 to 1.5 minutes, a hardness (a value measured with tablet hard-ness tester) of generally 2 to 25 kg and preferably 3 to 20 kg, and a ..falling impact strength (a degree of de-struction when the tablet is dropped from a height of 30 cm on a glass plate) of generally 0 to 70a and pre.feably 0 to 90~.
Therefore, the fast dissolving tablet of the present invention can be used for the therapy or prophy-laxis of various diseases just as the conventional preparations containing the same active ingredient but with an increased ease of ingestion by elderly persons and children and also as safe preparations for general adults. The tablet of the invention further features a fang shelf-life.
The fast dissolving tablet of the present invention contains the active ingredient in a proportion of gener-- 20 _ ally about 0.05 to 90~ by weight, preferably about 0.1 to 70$ by weight, more preferably 0.3 to 605 by weight and the carbohydrate in a proportion of generally about 10 to 90~ by weight, preferably about 20 to 85~ by weight and, for still better results, about 30 to 805 by weight.
In the case where the dosage of the active ingredi-ent is low, the tablet of the invention contains the active ingredient in a proportion of generally about 0.1 to 10~ by weight, and the carbohydrate in a proportion of generally 30 to 90~ by weight, preferably 50 to 85~
by weight and more preferably 60 to 85~ by weight.
In the case where the dosage of the active ingredi-ent is moderate, the tablet of the invention contains the active ingredient in a proportion of generally about 10 to 30$ by weight, and the carbohydrate in a propor-tion of generally 20 to 90~ by weight, prefeably 30 to 80~ by weight and,more preferably 40 to 75~ by weight.
In the case where the dosage of the active ingredi-ent is high, the tablet of the invention contains the active ingredient in a proportion of generally about 30 to 70~ by weight, and the carbohydrate in a proportion of generally 10 to 70~ by weight, prefeably 15 to 60~ by weight and more preferably 20 to 50~ by weight.

_ 21 _.
The fast dissolving tablet of the invention can be dosed just as the conventional oral preparations con-taming the same active ingredient. The dosage of the tablet of the invention varies according to the type of active ingredient and the patient's age, sex and condi-tion, among other factors. For example, in the case where the active ingredeint is diazepam, the tablet is generally administered for adults such that a daily dosage of the active ingredient is in the range of about 0.01 to 100 mg, preferably 0.1 to 30 mg, and for still better results, 0.3 to 10 mg once a day or in 2 or 3 divided doses. Also, when the vitamin C-containing tablet of the invention is administered as a nourishing and health promoting drug, the dosage of the tablet is about 2 to 2000 mg/day and preferably about 100 to 2000 mg/day as vitamin C.
The fast dissolving tablet of the invention is easy to ingest because it is readily disintegratable and soluble in the oral cavity and has a long' shelf life because it has an adequate mechanical strength, There-fore, the tablet can be advantageously used for the prevention or treatment of diseases in patients, partic-ularly aged and pediatric patients.
In accordance ~rrith the manufacturing method of the invention, the easily disintegratable troche having the 0~~33~

above-mentioned excellent characteristics car. be easily manufactured without resort to complicated procedures.
The following examples are further illustrative but by no means limitative of the present invention.
Examples Reference Example 1 A granulating machine (Vertical Granulator VG10, Powrex) was charged with ascorbic acid, riboflavin butt' rate, d-ot.-tocopherol, xylitol, maltitol, corn starch, aspartame and powdered acacia in the amounts indicated in Table 1 and the charge was stirred for 1 minute.
Then, 200 ml of water was added and the mixture was kneaded. The kneaded mass was dried .in vacuo using a box type vacuum dryer (Kusuki Seisakusho) and comrninuted with a sifting granulator (Powermi.ll, Showa Chemical Machinery). Aft er addition of magnesium stearate (0.5%), 'the granules were blended in a tumbler mixer (Showa Chemical Machinery) .for 3 minutes. Using a single-punch tablet machine (Kikusui Seisakusho), the above granules were compression-molded with a flat punch having a beveled edge, 20 mm in diameter, at a molding pressure of 1910 Kg/cm2 (force: 0000 Kg) to provide about 900 tablets.
Reference Example 2 2~3~~3~!~

A kneader (Universal Blender, Bata Ixon Works) was charged with diazepam, sucrose, glucose, potato starch, citric acid, gelatin and FD&C Yellow No. 6 in the amounts indicated in Table 2 and the charge was blended for. 2 minutes. Then, 50 ml of alcohol and 50 ml of water were added and the mixture was kneaded. The kneaded mass was dried in vacuo using a box type vacuum dryer (Kusuki Seisakusho) and comminuted with a cutter mill (Fitzmill, Hosokawa Micron). After Addition of sucrose fatty acid ester (0.50), the granules were mixed with a mixer. (V Mixer, Patterson-Kelly) for 1 minute.
Then, using a rotary tablet machine (Correct 19K, Kikusui Seisakusho), the granules were compression-molded with a flat punch having a beveled edge, 15 mm in diameter, at a molding pressure of 1980 Kg/cm2 (force:
3500 Kg) to prc>vide about 900 tablets.
Reference Example 3 A fluidized-bed granulator (FD-5S, Powrex) was charged with ibuprofen, caffeine, erythritol, citric acid, carmellose calcium, corn starch, stevia and men-thol in the amounts indicated in Table 3 and the charge was mixed for 3 minutes. Then, 120 ml of water was sprayed and the mixture was further granulated. The granules were dried arid comminut ed with a cutter mill ~~~~e~

(Power Mill, Showa Chemical Machinery), To the granules were added 0.20 of magnesium stearate and 2.8°s of talc and the mixture was blended with a mixer (Tumbler Mixer, Showa Chemical Machinery) for 3 minutes. Then, the granules were compression-molded with a rotary tablet machine (Correct 19K, Kikusui Seisakusho) with a flat punch having a beveled edge, 15 nun in diameter, at a molding pressure of 1700 Kg/cm2 (force: 3000 Kg) to provide about 900 tablets.
Reference Example 9 The procedure of Reference Example 1 was .repeated except that water was added in an amount of 90 ml (20) and a compression molding pressure of 32 Kg/cmz (force:
100 Kg) was used to provide about 900 tablets.
Example 1 A granulating machine (Vertical Granulator VG10, Powrex) was charged with ascorbic acid, riboflavin buty rate, d-oc-tocopherol, xylitol, maltitol, corn starch, aspartame and powdered acacia in the amounts indicated in Table 1 and the charge was mixed for 1 minute. Then, 32 ml of water was added and the mixture was kneaded.
Using a single-punch tablet machine (Kikusui Seisakusho), the mixture was compression-molded with a flat punch having a beveled edge, 20 mm in diameter, at a molding pressure of 32 Kg/cm2 (force: 100 Kg) to ~08~~~~~

provide about 800 tablets. The tablets were dried in vacuo using a box type vacuum dryer (Kusuki Seisakusho).
Formula 'T'able 1 Ingredient Amount added (g) Ascorbic acid 370 Sodium ascorbate 420 Riboflavin butyrate2.2 d-o~-Tocopherol 112 Xylitol 600 Maltitol 100 Corn starch 383.8 Aspartame 2 Powdered acacia 10 Total 2000 Example 2 A kneader (Dniversal Kneader, Hata Iron Works) was charged with diazepam, sucrose, glucose, potato starch, citric acid, gelatin and FD&C Yellow No. 6 in the amounts indicated in Table 2 and t he charge was mixed for 2 minutes. Then, 10 ml of alcohol and 10 ml of water were added and 'the mixture was kneaded. tTsing a tablet machine (single-punch tablet machine, Kikusui Seisakusho), the mixture was compression-molded with a punch having a concave surface, 10 mrn in diameter, at a molding pressure of 38 Kg/cm2 (force: 30 Kg) to provide about 800 tablets. The tablets were dried in vacuo using a box type vacuum dryer (Kusuki Seisakusho).

formu~.a Table 2 Ingredient Amount added (g) Diazepam 1 Sucrose 271.45 Glucose 100 Potato starch 100 Citric acid 25 Gelatin 2.5 FD&C Yellow No. 0.05 Tot al 500 Example 3 A fluidized bed granulator (FD-5S, Powrex) was charged with ibuprofen, caffeine, erythritol, citric acid, carmellose calcium, corn starch, stevia and men-thol in the amounts indicated in Table 3 and the charge was mixed for 3 minutes. The mixture was granulated while 20 ml of water was sprayed and the resulting granules were compression-molded with a flat punch having a rounded edge, 15 mm in diameter, at a molding pressure of 39 Kg/cmz (force: 60 Kg) to provide about 800 tablets. The tablets were air-dried in a mini-jet oven (Toyama Sangyo).

Formula Table 3 Ingredient Amount added (g) Ibuprofen 100 Caffeine 1?. , 5 Erythritol 655.5 Citric acid 100 Carmellose calcium30 Corn starch 100 Stevia 1 Menthol 1 Total 1000 Example 4 Except that the molding pressure was 10 Kg/cm2 (force: 30 Kg), the procedure of Example 1 was otherwise repeated to provide about 800 tablets.
Example 5 Except that the kneading operation was carried out using 10 ml of water, the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.
Example 6 Except that t:he amount of water was 100 ml, the proce-dure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.
Example 7 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 4 and 36 ml of water were used, the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.

~~~~~J~

Formula Table 4 Ingredient Amount added (g) Ascorbic acid 303 Sodium L-ascorbate 40G

Riboflavin butyrate 2 d-oc-Tocopherol acetate100 Pyridoxine hydrochloride15 Xylitol q~5 Sucrose 234 Maltitol 50 Potato starch 400 Powdered acacia 10 Aspartame 2 Total 2000 Example 8 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 5 arid 40 m1 of water were used and the molding pressure was 36 Kg/cmz (force: 110 Kg), the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.
Table 5 Formula Ingredient Amount added (g) Acetaminophen. 300 Ethenzamide 450 Anhydrous caffeine 50 Xylitol 405 Sucrose 233 Malti.tol 50 Corn starch 500 Macrogol 6000 20 Powdered acacia 10 Aspartame 2 Total 2020 Example 9 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 6 and 9 ml of water were used and the molding pressure was 101 Kg/cm2 (force: 80 Kg), the procedure of Example 2 was repeated to provide about 1600 tablets.
Formula '.table 6 Ingredient Amount added (g) Dimenhydrinate 50 Scopolamine hydrobromide 0.1 Caffeine 30 Sucrose 709.9 Corn starch 100 Potato starch 100 Powdered acacia 10 Total 1000 Example 10 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 7 and 11 ml of water_ were used and the molding pressure was 127 Kg/cm2 (force: 100 Kg), the procedure of Example 2 was repeated to provide about 1600 tablets.
Table 7 Formula Ingredient Amount added (g) Idebenone 30 Xylitol 5U0 Sucrose 215 Potato starch 250 Gelatin 5 Total 1000 Example 11 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 8 and 28 ml of water were used and the molding pressure was 38 Kg/cm2 (force: 120 Kg), the procedure of Example l was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.
Formula Table 8 Ingredient Amount added (g) Acetaminophen 300 Chlorpheniramine maleate 2.5 Dihydrocodein phosphate 8 Noscapine 16 dl-Methylephedrine hydrochloride20 Serratiopeptidase 5 Anhydrous caffeine 25 Kumul.ite~ 90 Xylitol 800 Gulcose 418.5 Corn starch 300 Powdered acacia 10 Aspartame 5 Total 2000 F~xample 12 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 9 and 24 m.1 of water were used and the molding pressure was 35 KgJcm2 (fo.rce: 110 Kg), the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.

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Formula Table 9 Ingredient Amount added (g) Acetaminophen 300 Chlorpheniramine maleate 2>5 Dihydrocodein phosphate g Noscapine 16 dl-Methylephedrine hydrochloride20 Serratiopeptidase 5 Guaifenesin g3 Ascorbic acid 100 Anhydrous caffeine 25 Sucrose 628 Erythritol 600 Potato starch 200 Powdered acacia 10 Saccharin sodium 2.5 Total 2000 Example 13 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 10 and 20 ml of water were used and the molding pressure was 29 Kg/cm2 (force: 90 Kg); the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.

Formula Table 10 Ingredient Amount added (g) Methocarvamol 500 Ethenzamide 300 Anhydrous caffeine30 Tocopherol acetate30 Dibenzoylthiamin 8 Maltitol 500 Xylitol 312 Corn starch 300 Gelatin 10 Menthol 5 Aspartame 5 Total 2000 Example 14 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 11 and 24 ml of water were used, the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.

?~~83~~

Forrnu 1 a Table 11 Tngredient Amount added (g) Tochu extracts 30 Ginseng extracts 100 Rokuzyo 5 Vitamin A 1 x 106 IU

Ascorbinic acid 125 d-cx-Tocopherol acetate 5 Fursulthiamin hydrochloride 5 Riboflavin butyrate Pyridoxine hydrochloride 12.5 Hydroxocobalamin acetate 30 x 10-3 Dibasic calcium phosphate 20 Precipitated calcium carbonate62 Sucrose 1305 Potato starch 300 Powdered acacia 10 Aspartame 10 lemon oil Total 2000 Example 15 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 12 and 30 ml of water were used and t he molding pressure was 30 Kg/crn2 (farce: 90 Kg), the procedure of Example 1 was repeated tc, provide about 800 tablets.

Formula Table 12 Tngredient Amount added (g) DaiOkanz6ta extractpowder 400 Xylitol 800 Sucrose 440 Potato starch 150 Corn starch 200 Powdered acacia 10 Total 2000 Example 16 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 13 and 30 ml of water were used, the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.
Table 13 Formula Ingredient Amount added (g) Ascorbic said 500 Sodium L-ascorbate 560 Riboflavin but grate 3 Sucrose 512 Corn starch 400 Aspartame 5 Powdered acacia 15 Lemon oil 5 Total 2000 Example 17 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 14 and 40 ml of water were used and the molding pressure was 29 Kg/cm2 (force: 90 Kg), the procedure of Example 1 was repeated t o pro~ride about 800 tablets.

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_ 35 _ Table 14 Formula Ingredient Amount added (g) KBshaheiisankashakuyaku 700 Sucrose gg5 Corn starch 300 Powdered acacia 10 Aspartame Total 2000 Example 18 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 15 and 24 mI of water were used and the molding pressure was 25 Kg/cm2 (force> 80 Kg), 'the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.
Table 15 Formula Ingredient Amount added (g) Antytisan 500 Sorbitol 700 Sucrose qg5 Potato starch 300 Aspartame 5 Powdered acacia10 Total 2000 Example 19 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 16 and 10 ml of water were used and the molding pressure was 25 Kg/cm2 (force: 80 K<~), the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide abaut 400 tablets.

Formula Table 16 Ingredient Amount added (g) Ipriflavon 200 Xylitol 645 Potato starch 150 Gelatin 5 Total 1000 Example 20 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 17 and l6 ml of water were used, the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide about 800 tablets.
Formula Table 17 Ingredient Amount added (g) Methyldopai 500 Xylitol Sucrose 280 Corn starch 400 Macrogol Fi000 10 Powdered acacia15 Aspartame 5 Total , 2010 Example 21 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 18 and 24 ml of water were used and the molding pressure was 25 Kg/cm2 (force: 80 Kg), the procedure of Example 1 was repeated to provide a~-out 800 tablets.

Formula Table 18 Ingredient Amount added (g) 'Polbutamide 500 ~ylitol 1090 Potato starch 900 Powdered acacia 10 Total 2000 Examp~.e 22 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 19 and 6 m1 of alcohol and 6 ml of water were used and the mixture was compression-molded with a punch of 9 mm in diameter at a molding pressure of 31 Kg/cm2 (force: 20 Kg), the procedure of Example 2 was repeated to provide about 1000 tablets of 300 mg.
Formula Table 19 Tngredient Amount added (g) Diazepam 1 Xylitol 160 Sucrose 78 Potato starch 60 Powdered acacia 1 Total 300 Example 23 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 20 were used, the procedure of Example 22 was repeated to pro~ride about 1000 tablets of 300 mg.

Formula Table 20 Ingredient Amount added (g) Diazepam 10 Xylitol 160 Sucrose Potato starch 60 Powdered acacia 1 Total 300 Example 24 Except that the ingredients indicated in Table 21 were used, the procedure of Example 22 was repeated to provide about 1000 tablets of 300 mg.
Table 21 Formula Ingredient Amount added (g) Diazepam 20 Xylitol 160 Sucrose 58 Potato starch 60 Powderedacacia 1 Total 300 Test Examples To illustrate the effects of the invention in further detail, the following characteristics of the tablets prepared in the foregoing Examples were determined. The results are shown in Table 22. Similar determinations were also made with the control tablets prepared in Reference Examples. The results are shown in Table 23.

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(l) Porosity The porosity of each tablet was determined using the following equation.
Porosity =
weight of tablet Volume of tablet -true density of ingredients - x 100 Volume of tablet (2) Buccal solubility The time to complete dissolution by saliva in the oral cavity was determined in a healthy adult male volunteer (95 years old, body height 165 cm, body weight 55 kg). The test was performed in duplicate and the mean of the results of two determinations was adopted.
(3) Disintegration time The disintegration time of each tablet was deter-mined in accordance with the disintegration test de-scribed in Japanese Phamacopoeia XII. The mean of results of six determinations was adopted.
Hardness The hardness of each tablet was measured with a tablet hardness tester (TH-100, Toyama Sangyo). The test was performed in 10 runs and the mean of results of determinations was adopted.
(5) Falling impact strength Each tablet was dropped from a height of 30 cm on a glass plate and the degree of destruction was mea-sured. The test was performed in 10 replicates and the mean result was adopted.

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~ -~ ~d r~ o o -~I -~I +.~ x m A x w w .~ +~ ~n Table 23 ReferenceExample Buccal dissolution time 8 12 2.5 (min.) 12 Disintegration time (min.)10 6 7 2.1 Hardness (kg) 19 8 11 8 Falling impact strength 90 50 90 80 (~) Porosity (~) 15 13 17 40 Molding pressure (Kg/cm2)1910 1980 32 Water used ($ (w/w) ) 10 10 12 2 Comparison of Tables the 22 and 23 indicate that fast dissolving tablet yet of the present invention is superior in solubility and disintegratability and has an adequate mechanical strength.

Claims

1. A method of producing a buccal dissolution pharmaceutical tablet which has sufficient mechanical strength resisting destruction during manufacture, storage and distribution and yet is capable of disintegrating and dissolving rapidly within 0.05 to 3 minutes in the oral cavity, which method comprises:
kneading a solid mixture consisting essentially of:
(A) 0.05 to 90% by weight based on the composition of particles or granules of a solid pharmacologically active ingredient, (B) 10 to 90% by weight based on the composition of particles of a water-soluble carbohydrate which is selected from the group consisting of sugars, starch sugars, lactose, honey, sugar alcohols and tetroses and which has a mean particle size of 1 to 100 µm, and (C) at least one other additive selected from:
(1) a disintegrator selected from starch, carmellose calcium, carmellose sodium and polyvinyl alcohol;
(2) a binder;
(3) an acid;
(4) a foaming agent;
(5) an artificial sweetener;
(6) a flavorant;
(7) a lubricant; and (8) a colorant, together with water alone or in combination with alcohol added to the solid mixture, the water being employed in an amount barely sufficient to moisten a surface of the particles of the carbohydrate and being in the range of from 0.3 to 10% by weight based on the solid mixture;
compression-molding the kneaded mixture at a pressure of from 3 to 160 Kg/cm2 at a temperature at which the particles of the carbohydrate are not dissolved in the water nor melted, into a tablet;
drying the thus-molded tablet, thereby obtaining a dried tablet having a porosity of 20 to 80%; and where required, coating the dried tablet.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the solid mixture contains at least one disintegrator selected from starch, carmellose calcium, carmellose sodium and polyvinyl alcohol.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the disintegrator is contained in an amount of 10 to 25% by weight in the solid mixture.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the kneading and compression-molding steps are conducted at ambient temperature.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the carbohydrate is at least one member selected from sucrose, glucose, maltose, lactose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the solid mixture contains 30 to 70% by weight of at least one vitamin as the pharmacologically active ingredient and 20 to 50% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the solid mixture contains 10 to 30% by weight of the pharmacologically active ingredient and 40 to 75% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the solid mixture contains 0.1 to 10% by weight of the pharmacologically active ingredient and 60 to 85% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the amount of water employed is from 0.5 to 3% by weight based on the solid mixture.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the kneeding is carried out by using a granulating machine, a kneader or a fluidized bed granulator.

11. A method of producing a fast dissolving tablet having a disintegration and dissolving time of 0.05 to 3 minutes in the oral cavity, a porous structure with a hardness of 2 to 25 kg and a porosity of 20 to 80%, which process comprises compression-molding a composition comprising an active ingredient, a carbohydrate and a barely sufficient amount of water to moisten a surface of particles of the carbohydrate at a pressure of from 3 to 160 kg/cm2 into a tablet form, wherein the carbohydrate is at least one member selected from the group consisting of sugars, starch sugars, lactose, honey, sugar alcohols and tetroses;
the composition contains the active ingredient in a proportion of 0.05 to 90% by weight and the carbohydrate in a proportion of 10 to 90% by weight; and the water is employed in an amount of 0.3 to 7% by weight based on the composition.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein a mixture comprising the active ingredient and the carbohydrate is wetted with the barely sufficient amount of water to moisten the surface of particles of the carbohydrate and compression-molded into a tablet form.

13. A method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the active ingredient is a vitamin, a crude drug, an antipyretic-analgesic-antiinflammatory agent, an anti-psychotic drug, an anti-anxiety drug, an antidepressant, a hypnotic-sedative agent, a gastrointestinal function conditioning agent, an antacid, an antitussive-expectorant, an antihypertensive drug, an antidiabetic agent, a drug for osteoporosis or a skeletal muscle relaxant.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the active ingredient is at least one vitamin selected from the group consisting of vitamin A, d-.alpha.-tocopherol acetate, dibenzoylthiamin, fursultiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin butyrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, ascorbic acid, sodium L-ascorbate and hydroxocobalamin acetate.

15. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the carbohydrate is water-soluble.

16. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein the carbohydrate is at least one member selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol.

17. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the carbohydrate is mannitol.

18. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the carbohydrate has mean particle size of 1 to 100 µm.

19. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the composition further contains at least one additive selected from the group consisting of disintegrators, binders, acids, foaming agents, artificial sweeteners, flavorants, lubricants and colorants.

20. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the carbohydrate is a water-soluble carbohydrate and the composition containing 0.3 to 7% by weight of water is compression-molded into a tablet form at a pressure of 5 to 130 Kg/cm2 and then dried to prepare a porous tablet with a porosity of 20 to 80%.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the composition contains 0.1 to 10% by weight of the active ingredient and 50 to 85% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the composition contains 10 to 30% by weight of the active ingredient and 30 to 80% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

23. A method according to claim 20, wherein the composition contains 30 to 70% by weight of the active ingredient and 15 to 75% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

24. A method according to claim 20, wherein the composition contains 20 to 85% by weight of at least one water-soluble carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of sugar, starch sugars, lactose, honey, sugar alcohols and tetroses and is compression-molded into the tablet form at a pressure of 8 to 50 Kg/cm2.

25. A method according to claim 20, wherein the composition contains 0.5 to 3% by weight of water and is compression-molded into the tablet form at a pressure of 8 to 50 Kg/cm2.

26. A fast dissolving tablet obtained by compression-molding a composition comprising an active ingredient, a carbohydrate and a barely sufficient amount of 0.3 to 7% by weight based on the composition of water to moisten a surface of particles of the carbohydrate at a pressure of 3 to 160 kg/cm2 into a tablet form which has a disintegration and dissolving time of 0.05 to 3 minutes in the oral cavity, a porous structure with a hardness of 2 to 25 kg and a porosity of 20 to 80%, wherein the carbohydrate is at least one member selected from the group consisting of sugars, starch sugars, lactose, honey, sugar alcohols and tetroses, and the composition comprises 0.05 to 90% by weight of the active ingredient and 10 to 90% by weight of the carbohydrate.

27. A fast dissolving tablet according to claim 26, which has a porous structure with a porosity of 30 to 70%, a hardness of 3 to 20 kg and a disintegration time of 0.05 to 3.0 minutes.

28. A fast dissolving tablet according to claim 26, which has a porous structure with a porosity of 30 to 70%, a hardness of 3 to 20 kg, a disintegration time of 0.05 to 3.0 minutes, a falling impact strength of 0 to 70% and buccal solubility of 0.05 to 3.0 minutes.

29. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 26 to 28, which contains at least one of a vitamin, a crude drug, an antipyretic-analgesic-antiinflammatory agent, an anti-psychotic agent, an antianxiety drug, an antidepressant, a hypnotic-sedative agent, a gastrointestinal function conditioning agent, an antacid, an antitussive-expectorant, an antihypertensive drug, an antidiabetic agent, a drug for osteoporosis and a skeletal muscle relaxant as the active ingredient.

30. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the carbohydrate is at least one member selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol.

31. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the carbohydrate is mannitol.

32. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 26 to 31, which contains at least one other additive selected from the group consisting of disintegrators, binders, acids, foaming agents, artificial sweeteners, flavorants, lubricants and colorants.

33. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 26 to 32, which contains 0.1 to 10% by weight of the active ingredient and 50 to 85% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

34. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 26 to 32, which contains 10 to 30% by weight of the active ingredient and 30 to 80% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

35. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 26 to 32, which contains 30 to 70% by weight of the active ingredient and 10 to 70% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

36. A fast dissolving tablet according to claim 26 obtained by compression-molding the composition comprising the active ingredient, a water-soluble carbohydrate and the water into a tablet form at a pressure of 5 to 130 Kg/cm2 and drying the resulting tablet.

37. A fast dissolving tablet having a disintegration time of 0.05 to 3 minutes in the oral cavity, which contains an effective amount of an active ingredient and a water-soluble carbohydrate and has a porous structure with a hardness of 2 to 25 kg and a porosity of 20% to 80%, wherein the active ingredient is non-coated with a triglyceride;
the carbohydrate is at least one member selected from the group consisting of sugars, starch sugars, lactose, honey, sugar alcohols and tetroses; and the tablet is obtained by compression-molding a composition comprising 0.05 to 90% by weight of the active ingredient, 10 to 90% by weight of the carbohydrate and 0.3 to 7% by weight of water based on the composition for moistening a surface of particles of the carbohydrate, at a pressure of 3 to 160 kg/cm2.

38. A fast dissolving tablet according to claim 37 which has a hardness of 3 to 20 kg and a porosity of 30 to 70%.

39. A fast dissolving tablet according to claim 37, wherein the particles of the carbohydrate adhere to each other with the defined amount of water and with the defined molding pressure which causes the hardness of 2 to 25 kg, and the water is removed.

40. A fast dissolving tablet having a disintegration time of 0.05 to 3 minutes in the oral cavity, which contains 0.05 to 90% by weight of an active ingredient and a water-soluble carbohydrate having a mean particle size in the range of 1 to 100 µm; which has a porous structure with a hardness of 2 to 25 kg, a porosity of 20 to 80% and a falling impact strength of 0 to 70%; and which is obtained by compression-molding a composition comprising the active ingredient, the carbohydrate and water in an amount of 0.3 to 7% by weight based on the composition for moistening a surface of particles of the carbohydrate, at a pressure of 3 to 160 kg/cm2.

41. A fast dissolving tablet according to claim 40 which has a hardness of 3 to 20 kg, a porosity of 30 to 70% and a falling impact strength of 0 to 40%.

42. A fast dissolving tablet according to claim 40 or 41 which contains 10 to 90% by weight of the water-soluble carbohydrate.

43. A fast dissolving tablet according to claim 40, 41 or 42, which contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of a vitamin, a crude drug, an antipyretic-analgesic-antiinflammatory agent, an antipsychotic agent, an antianxiety drug, an antidepressant, a hypnotic-sedative agent, a gastrointestinal function conditioning agent, an antacid, an antitussive-expectorant, a hypertensive drug, an antidiabetic agent, a drug for osteoporosis and a skeletal muscle relaxant as the active ingredient.

44. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 40 to 43, which contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of sugars, starch sugars, lactose, honey, sugar alcohols and tetroses as the water-soluble carbohydrate.

45. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 40 to 43, which contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, maltitol, xylitol and erythritol as the water-soluble carbohydrate.

46. A fast dissolving tablet according to any one of claims 40 to 43, which contains mannitol as the water-soluble carbohydrate.

47. A method of producing a fast dissolving buccal tablet of a porous structure having a porosity of 20% to 80% a hardness of 2 to 25 kg, a disintegration time of 0.05 to 3.0 minutes and a falling impact strength of 0 to 70%, the tablet comprising 0.1 to 70% by weight of a pharmaceutically active ingredient and 10 to 90% by weight of a water-soluble carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of sugars, starch sugars, lactose, honey, sugar alcohols and tetroses, which method comprises:
moistening a surface of particles of the carbohydrate having a particle size of 1 to 100µm with water in an amount barely sufficient to moisten the surface, the said amount being within the range of from 0.3 to 7% based on the resulting tablet; and compression-molding a mixture containing the active ingredient and the moistened carbohydrate at a pressure of 3 to 160 Kg/cm2 into a tablet form.

48. A method according to claim 47, which further comprises:
drying the compression-molded mixture.

49. A method according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the carbohydrate is a member selected from the group consisting of sucrose, maltitol, glucose, xylitol and erythritol.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the mixture further contains starch.