Pharmaceutical grade magnesium carbonate is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as an antacid and excipient due to its excellent biocompatibility and safety profile. Among various dosage forms, tablet formulation is favored for its convenience in storage, transport, and administration. This article outlines three essential process points in the preparation of magnesium carbonate tablets to ensure high quality and effectiveness.

1. Raw Material Selection and Pre-treatment

The quality of magnesium carbonate directly impacts the safety and performance of the final tablets. Key considerations include:

• Purity and Compliance: Use high-purity magnesium carbonate that meets pharmacopoeia standards (e.g., ChP, USP).

• Particle Size Distribution: Ideally between 100–300 mesh to balance compressibility and flowability. Too fine leads to moisture absorption, too coarse causes poor compressibility.

• Moisture Control: As magnesium carbonate is hygroscopic, it must be properly dried before use, keeping moisture below 0.5%.

• Low Impurities: Heavy metals, chlorides, and sulfates should be controlled within pharmacopeial limits.

2. Excipient Blending and Granulation

The physical properties of tablets—such as hardness, disintegration time, and dissolution rate—depend on the formulation and granule quality. Common excipients include:

• Binders (e.g., starch paste, HPMC) to aid compaction.

• Disintegrants (e.g., croscarmellose sodium) to ensure proper tablet breakdown.

• Lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc) to reduce friction during compression.

The wet granulation method is commonly used, involving:

1. Mixing magnesium carbonate with excipients.

2. Adding binder solution while stirring.

3. Screening to form granules.

4. Drying granules to moisture ≤ 2%.

5. Final sizing (sieving) to ensure uniformity.

3. Tablet Compression and Quality Control

Compression is the most critical stage of tablet production. Key process parameters include:

• Compression Force & Speed: Must be optimized to avoid tablet cracking or poor compaction. Typically 30–60 kN is used.

• Tooling Cleanliness: Punches and dies must be clean to prevent sticking or picking.

• Quality Checks: Include hardness, friability, weight variation, and disintegration—all must meet pharmacopeia requirements.

Due to the reactivity of magnesium carbonate with moisture and CO₂ in air, the tablet press and packaging process should be conducted in low-humidity, controlled environments to preserve stability.

Conclusion

Though the production of magnesium carbonate tablets appears straightforward, strict control over raw materials, granulation, and compression is crucial for ensuring safety, consistency, and therapeutic efficacy. Understanding and mastering these three process points is essential for any pharmaceutical manufacturer aiming for excellence.

To learn more about pharmaceutical-grade magnesium carbonate or to request customized solutions, please contact us:

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Shandong Runfu Ca Mg Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. – Your trusted partner in premium magnesium and calcium salt solutions.