Effervescent tablets potassium carbonate

Soluble, effervescent tablets are prepared by compression. In addition to active ingredients, they contain mixtures of acids (citric acid, tartaric acid) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCOs) that release carbon dioxide when dissolved in water. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 24 includes the following seven monographs Acetaminophen for Effervescent Oral Solution Aspirin Effervescent Tablets for Oral Solution Potassium Bicarbonate Effervescent Tablets for Oral Solution Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Chloride for Effervescent Oral Solution Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Chloride Effervescent Tablets for Oral Solution Potassium and Sodium Bicarbonates and Citric Acid for Oral Solution and Potassium Chloride, Potassium Bicarbonate, and Potassium Citrate Effervescent Tablets for Oral Solution. ... 

Potassium carbonate The moisture scavenging effect of potassium carbonate in effervescent tablets has been investigated. ... 

As an excipient, potassium bicarbonate is generally used in formulations as a source of carbon dioxide in effervescent preparations, at concentrations of 25-50% w/w. It is of particular use in formulations where sodium bicarbonate is unsuitable, for example, when the presence of sodium ions in a formulation needs to be limited or is undesirable. Potassium bicarbonate is often formulated with citric acid or tartaric acid in effervescent tablets or granules on contact with water, carbon dioxide is released through chemical reaction, and the product disintegrates. On occasion, the presence of potassium bicarbonate alone may be sufficient in tablet formulations, as reaction with gastric acid can be sufficient to cause effervescence and product disintegration. 

GRAS listed. Accepted as a food additive in Europe (the E number E501 refers to potassium carbonates). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK and USA (chewable tablets effervescent granules effervescent tablets lozenges oral granules oral suspensions). Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients. 

Verain and coworkers (3) described the formulation of an effervescent paracetamol tablet dosed at 500 mg, containing saccharose and sorbitol as diluents. Other components were anhydrous citric acid, sodium or potassium bicarbonate, PVP, and sodium benzoate. The tablets were characterised by measurement of a number of responses, in particular the friability, the volume of carbon dioxide produced per tablet when it is put in water, and the time over which the tablet effervesced. The objective was to study the effects of 4 factors, the quantities of sorbitol and of citric acid per tablet, the nature of the bicarbonate (whether sodium or potassium bicarbonate), and the effect of different tableting forces on these responses. The... 

---