Process for Making Tablet Using Radiofrequency and Lossy Coated Particles

Abstract

In one aspect the present invention features process for making a tablet comprising at least one pharmaceutically active agent, said method comprising the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend to sinter said powder blend into said tablet, wherein said powder blend comprises lossy coated particles and said at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein said lossy coated particles comprises a substrate that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising at least one activator, wherein said substrate has a Q value of greater than 100 and said activator has a Q value of less than 75.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tablet comprising sintered lossy coated particles and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein said lossy coated particles comprise a substrate that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising at least one activator, wherein said substrate has a Q value of greater than 100 and said activator has a Q value of less than 75 and wherein the surface of said lossy coated particle comprises said activator. 
     
     
         2 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said activator has a Q value of less than 50. 
     
     
         3 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said substrate has a Q value of greater than 200. 
     
     
         4 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said lossy coated particles have a Q value of greater than 100. 
     
     
         5 . A tablet of  claim 1  comprising at least 20%, by weight, of said lossy coated particles. 
     
     
         6 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said tablet disintegrates in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 30 seconds. 
     
     
         7 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said activator is a polymer selected from the group consisting of celluloses, hydrocolloids, polymethacrylates, polyvinyls, proteins, polysaccharides, and copolymers thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said activator is hydroxypropylcellulose or hydroxyethylcellulose. 
     
     
         9 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said substrate comprises a starch, a sugar alcohol, or a sugar. 
     
     
         10 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said substrate comprises maltitol or mannitol. 
     
     
         11 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said substrate comprises said pharmaceutically active agent. 
     
     
         12 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein the friability at 15 drops of the tablet is less than about 5%. 
     
     
         13 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said tablet further comprises a water scavenger. 
     
     
         14 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said tablet further comprises a plasticizer. 
     
     
         15 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said at least one pharmaceutically active agent is contained within particles separate from the lossy coated particles. 
     
     
         16 . A tablet of  claim 1  wherein said tablet has an in vitro disintegration time of about 30 seconds or less when based on the United States Pharmacopeia USP 24 NF29. 
     
     
         17 . A tablet comprising sintered lossy coated particles and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein said lossy coated particles comprise a substrate that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising at least one activator, wherein the Q value of the activator is less than half the Q value of the substrate and said tablet has a friability at 15 drops of the tablet is less than about 5%.