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Available online at ajdhs.com 

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Open Access to Pharmaceutical and Medical Research 

Copyright  © 2022 The  Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC 4.0 
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Effervescent Tablets: Everything You Need To Know 

Vineeta Devi Lodhi1, Arvind Singh Jadon2, Jyoti Sen3, Prateek Kumar Jain1, Bhupendra Singh Thakur1, Basant 
Khare1, Anushree Jain1* 

1 Adina College of Pharmacy, ADINA Campus Rd, Lahdara, Sagar, MP, 470001 
2 School of Studies in Pharmaceutical Science, Jiwaji University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India-474001 
3 SVN Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India-470001 

Article Info: 
_______________________________________ 
Article History: 
Received 03 Sep 2022      
Reviewed 21 October 2022 
Accepted 01 Nov 2022 
Published 15 Dec 2022 

_______________________________________ 
Cite this article as:  

Lodhi VD, Jadon AS, Sen J, Jain PK, Thakur BS, 
Khare B, Jain A, Effervescent Tablets: 
Everything You Need To Know, Asian Journal of 
Dental and Health Sciences. 2022; 2(4):1-8 

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/ajdhs.v2i4.18 

_______________________________________
*Address for Correspondence:   

Anushree Jain, Adina College of Pharmacy, 
ADINA Campus Rd, Lahdara, Sagar, MP, 470001 

 

Abstract 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Oral dosage forms are the most popular way of taking medication, despite having some disadvantages 
compared with other methods like risk of slow absorption of the medicament, which can be overcome 
by administering the drug in liquid form, therefore, possibly allowing the use of a lower dosage. 
However, instability of many drugs in liquid dosage form limits its use. Effervescent technique can be 
used as alternate to develop a dosage form which can accelerate drug disintegration and dissolution, is 
usually applied in quick release preparations. Along with the development of new pharmaceutical 
technique, effervescent tablets are more and more extensively to adjust the behavior of drug release, 
such as in sustained and controlled release preparations, pulsatile drug delivery systems, and so on. In 
this review we have discussed about formulation, evaluation, advantages of effervescent tablets and also 
demonstrated the new applying of effervescent technique in effervescent tablets. 

Keywords: Effervescent tablets. Carbon tablet, Effervescent granules. 

Mail ID: anushree1595@gmail.com 

Introduction 

Oral drug delivery has been known for decades as the most 
widely utilized route of administered among all the routes that 
have been employed for the systemic delivery of drug via 
various pharmaceutical products of different dosage forms. 
The reasons that the oral route achieved such popularity may 
be in part attributed to its ease of administration.1-2 Oral 
sustained drug delivery system is complicated by limited 
gastric residence times (GRTs). Rapid GI transit can prevent 
complete drug release in the absorption zone and reduce 
the efficacy of the administered dose. Effervescent tablets are 
becoming increasingly popular in a variety of sectors including 
supplements and pharmaceutical use due to the ease in which 
they can be consumed. Effervescent tablets are designed to 
break in contact with liquid such as water or juice, often 
causing the tablet to dissolve into a solution.3-5 

Effervescent tablet delivery system 

These buoyant delivery systems utilize matrices prepared 
with swellable polymers such as Methocel or poly saccharides, 
e.g., chitosan, and effervescent components, e.g., sodium 
bicarbonate and citric or tartaric acid or matrices containing 
chambers of liquid that gasify at body temperature.6-8 
Flotation of a drug delivery system in the stomach can be 
achieved by incorporating a floating chamber filled with 
vacuum, air or an inert gas. Gas can be introduced into the 
floating chamber by the volatilization of an organic solvent 

(e.g. Ether or cyclopentane) or by the CO2 produced as a 
result of an effervescent reaction between organic acids and 
carbonate–bicarbonate salts.9 The matrices are fabricated so 
that upon arrival in the stomach, carbon dioxide is liberated 
by the acidity of the gastric contents and is entrapped in the 
jellified hydrocolloid. This produces an upward motion of the 
dosage form and maintains its buoyancy. A decrease in specific 
gravity causes the dosage form to float on the chyme.10 
Recently a multiple-unit type of floating pill, which generates 
carbon dioxide gas, has been developed. The system consisted 
of sustained- release pills as seeds surrounded by double 
layers. The inner layer was an effervescent layer containing 
both sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid. The outer layer 
was a swellable membrane layer containing mainly polyvinyl 
acetate and purified shellac. Moreover, the effervescent layer 
was divided into two sub layers to avoid direct contact 
between sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid. Sodium 
bicarbonate was contained in the inner sublayer and tartaric 
acid was in the outer layer. When the system was immersed 
in a buffer solution at 37°C, it sank at once in the solution and 
formed swollen pills, like balloons, with a density much lower 
than 1 g/ ml. The reaction was due to carbon dioxide 
generated by neutralization in the inner effervescent layers 
with the diffusion of water through the outer swellable 
membrane layers. The system was found to float completely 
within 10 min and approximately 80%remained floating over 
a period of 5 hr irrespective of pH and viscosity of the test 
medium. While the system was floating, a drug (p- amino 

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benzoic acid) was released. A variant of this approach utilizing 
citric acid (anhydrous) and sodium bicarbonate as 
effervescing agents and HPC-H grade as a release controlling 
agent has also been reported. In vitro results indicated a 
linear decrease in the FT of the tablets with an increase in 
the amount of effervescing agents in the range of 10– 20%. 
Attempts have also been made to develop SR floating tablets 
using a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and 
chitosan.11-12 

 

Figure 1: An effervescent tablet in a glass of water 

Effervescent or carbon tablets are tablets which are designed 
to dissolve in water, and release carbon dioxide.13 They are 
products of compression of component ingredients in the form 
of powders into a dense mass, which is packaged in blister 
pack, or with a hermetically sealed package with incorporated 
desiccant in the cap. To use them, they are dropped into water 
to make a solution. The powdered ingredients are also 
packaged and sold as effervescent powders or may be 
granulated and sold as effervescent granules. Generally 
powdered ingredients are first granulized before being made 
into tablets.14 Effervescent tablets are designed to break in 
contact with liquid such as water or juice, often causing the 
tablet to dissolve into a solution. This makes effervescent 
tablets the preferred choice of many, including people who are 
taking tablets medicinally as well as a dietary supplement.15 

Reason to choose effervescent tablets over 
regular tablets 

Effervescent tablets are becoming increasingly popular in a 
variety of sectors including supplements and pharmaceutical 
use due to the ease in which they can be consumed. The 
following are some reasons to choose effervescent tablets over 
regular tablets,16-19 

Pleasant taste compared to regular tablets 

Effervescent tablets are so popular due to the fact they can be 
dissolved in a liquid such as water or fruit juice, 
meaning that they often taste better than regular tablets. 
Conventional tablets dissolve slowly which can result in 
reduced absorption rates, effervescent tablets, in contrast, 
dissolve quickly and completely, meaning you get the full 
benefit from the ingredients. 

Distributed more evenly 

Conventional tablets dissolve gradually in the stomach once 
ingested and can sometimes only partially dissolve which can 
lead to irritation in some cases. The benefit of effervescent 
tablets is that they dissolve completely and evenly meaning 

that localised concentrations of the ingredients cannot occur. 
This means not only a better taste but also less chance of 
irritation and a more efficient means of ingesting the 
ingredients. 

Increased liquid intake 

Effervescent tablets provide the nutritional benefits intended, 
but in addition to this they also increase liquid intake. This can 
be especially beneficial if you are dehydrated or ill and not 
ingesting as much fluid as usual. Effervescent tablets can be a 
fantastic way of rehydrating as well as reaping the benefits 
you are taking the tablets for whether this is a dietary 
supplement, herbally or medicinally. 

Easy alternative to regular tablets 

They can be a great alternative for those who may have 
trouble swallowing either due to illness or age. Older 
individuals may have difficulty swallowing but need to take 
medication or supplements on a regular basis and in this 
respect, effervescent tablets can be a lot easier than having to 
swallow a tablet. In addition to this, they can be a great way of 
ingesting medicine for individuals with sore throats or 
medical issues that make swallowing difficult and so are a 
viable alternative to regular tablets. 

Simple and easy to measure 

Effervescent tablets are easily dissolved into water or a liquid 
of your choice and then after a while are consistent, well 
mixed and ready to drink. Traditional tablets or powders, 
however, need to be measured and stirred in repeatedly to 
avoid an inconsistent drink with lumpy bits. 

Even with stirring and measuring it is common to have an 
inconsistent drink with lumpy bits and an odd taste and this is 
where effervescent tablets are more efficient. Simply drop 
them in and they dissolve fully and evenly ensuring you get all 
the benefits of the tablet, as well as being able to comfortably 
drink it. 

To sum up 

Effervescent tablets are becoming increasingly popular and it 
is easy to see why. They provide a much more efficient way of 
taking supplements or medication due to being distributed 
evenly and much more quickly than regular tablets. In 
addition to this, they taste better as can be added to water or a 
liquid drink of your choice as well as being easier to take for 
people who may find it difficult to swallow. All these factors 
combine to make effervescent tablets a very popular choice for 
those taking tablets for either dietary supplementation or 
medicinal reasons. 

Mechanism of effervescence 

As per revised definition proposed to US FDA, Effervescent 
tablet is a tablet intended to be dissolved or dispersed in 
water before administration. Effervescent tablets are 
uncoated tablets that generally contain acid or acid salts 
(Citric, tartaric, Malic acid or any other suitable acid or acid 
anhydride) and carbonates or bicarbonates (Sodium, 
potassium or any other suitable alkali metal carbonate or 
hydrogen carbonate), which react rapidly in the presence. of 
water by releasing carbon dioxide. Due to liberation in CO2 
gas, the dissolution of API in water as well as taste masking 
effect is enhanced.20-21 

The reaction between Citric acid and Sodium bicarbonate & 
Tartaric acid and Sodium bicarbonate, which results in 
liberation of carbon dioxide shown as follows, 

  



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C6H8O7.H2O+3NaHCO3 (aq) → Na3C6H5O7 + 4H2O + 3CO2 (g) ↑ 

Citric acid + Sodium bicarbonate → Sodium citrate + Water + Carbon dioxide 

C4H6O6 + 2 NaHCO3→ Na2C4H4O6 + 2H2O + 2CO2 (g) ↑ 

Tartaric acid + Sodium bicarbonate → Sodium tartrate + Water + Carbon dioxide 

Figure 2: Mechanism of effervescence 

 

Fundamentals of Effervescent 

Effervescent tablets are designed to release carbon dioxide 
upon contact with water, promoting their disintegration. 
Within a couple of minutes the tablets completely dissolve and 
the drug becomes available in solution. The generation of 
carbon dioxide is a result of the chemical reaction that occurs 
between a carbonate or bicarbonate salt (e.g., sodium 
bicarbonate) and a weak organic acid (e.g., citric or tartaric 
acid) in the presence of water. Due to the high content of 
carbonate salt, upon the ingestion of the drug solution, the 
gastric pH is temporarily elevated, resulting in fast gastric 
emptying. This in turn promotes drug absorption from the 
upper small intestine, which is the primary site for drug 
absorption. In doing so, higher drug bioavailability and a faster 
onset of action can usually be achieved. As such, effervescence 
has been found to be useful to formulate medicines that are 
difficult to digest, medicines that induce stomach or 
esophageal irritation (e.g., aspirin), and medicines that are 
moisture- or pH-sensitive (e.g., antibiotics or medicines of 
large doses that are impossible to swallow, such as those 
containing more than 2 g of drug) or to obtain a rapid onset of 
action (e.g., analgesics).22-24 

Effervescence consists of a soluble organic acid and an 
alkali metal carbonate salt, one of which is often the API. 
Carbon dioxide is formed if this mixture comes into contact 
with water. Typical examples of the acids and alkalis used 
include: 

Citric acid 

Tartaric acid 

Malic acid 

Fumaric acid 

Adipic acid 

Sodium bicarbonate 

Sodium carbonate 

Sodium sesquicarbonate 

Potassium bicarbonate 

Potassium carbonate 

 

Advantages of effervescent tablets25 

Fast onset of action 

No need to swallow tablet. 

Good stomach and intestinal tolerance. 

More portability. 

Improved palatability. 

Superior stability. 

More consistent response. 

Incorporation of large amounts of active ingredients. 

Accurate Dosing. 

Improved Therapeutic Effect. 

In remote areas, especially where parenteral forms are not 
available due to prohibitive cost, lack of qualified medical staff, 
effervescent tablets could become an alternative. 

Disadvantages of effervescent tablets 

Unpleasant taste of some active ingredients. 

Larger tablets requiring special packaging materials. 

Relatively expensive to produce due to large amount of 
more or less expensive excipients and special production 
facilities. 

Clear solution is preferred for administration, although a fine 
dispersion is now universally acceptable. 

Formulation methodologies26-28 

Wet granulation 

The most widely used process of agglomeration in 
pharmaceutical industry is wet granulation. Wet granulation 
process simply involves wet massing of the powder blend 
with a granulating liquid, wet sizing and drying. 

Important steps involved in the wet granulation 

Mixing of the drug(s) and excipients. 

Preparation of binder solution. 

Mixing of binder solution with powder mixture to form wet 



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mass. 

Drying of moist granules. 

Mixing of screened granules with disintegrant, glidant, and    
lubricant. 

Advantages 

Permits mechanical handling of powders without loss of mix 
quality. 

Improves the flow of powders by increasing particle size and 
sphericity. 

Increases and improves the uniformity of powder density. 

Limitation of wet granulation 

The greatest disadvantage of wet granulation is its cost. It is an 
expensive process because of labor, time, equipment, energy 
and space requirements. 

Loss of material during various stages of processing. 

Dry granulation 

In dry granulation process the powder mixture is compressed 
without the use of heat and solvent. It is the least desirable of 
all methods of granulation. The two basic procedures are to 
form a compact of material by compression and then to mill 
the compact to obtain a granules. Two methods are used for 
dry granulation. The more widely used method is slugging, 
where the powder is recompressed and the resulting tablet or 
slug are milled to yield the granules. The other method is to 
recompress the powder with pressure rolls using a machine 
such as Chilosonator. 

Rollar compaction 

The compaction of powder by means of pressure roll can also 
be accomplished by a machine called chilsonator. Unlike tablet 
machine, the chilsonator turns out a compacted mass in a 
steady continuous flow. The powder is fed down between the 
rollers from the hopper which contains a spiral auger to feed 
the powder into the compaction zone. Like slugs, the 
aggregates are screened or milled for production into 
granules. 

Use: Use in the production of directly compressible excipients, 
the compaction of drugs and drug formulations, the 
granulation of inorganic materials, the granulation of dry 
herbal material and the production of immediate/sustained 
release formulations. 

Advancement in granulations 

Steam granulation 

It is modification of wet granulation. Here steam is used as a 
binder instead of water. Its several benefits includes higher 
distribution uniformity, higher diffusion rate into powders, 
more favorable thermal balance] during drying step, steam 
granules are more spherical, have large surface area hence 
increased dissolution rate of the drug from granules, 
processing time is shorter therefore more number of tablets 
are produced per batch, compared to the use of organic 
solvent water vapour is environmentally friendly, no health 
hazards to operators, no restriction by ICH on traces left in the 
granules, freshly distilled steam is sterile and therefore the 
total count can be kept under control, lowers dissolution rate 
so can be used for preparation of taste masked granules 
without modifying availability of the drug. 

Melt granulation / thermoplastic granulation 

Here granulation is achieved by the addition of moldable 
binder. That is binder is in solid state at room temperature 

but melts in the temperature range of 50 – 80˚C. Melted binder 
then acts like a binding liquid. There is no need of drying 
phase since dried granules are obtained by cooling it to room 
temperature. 

Evaluation of Effervescent Tablet 

Pre-compression parameters:29-32 

Angle of repose (θ) 

Angle of repose is defined as the maximum angle possible 
between the surface of a pile of the powder and horizontal 
plane. The frictional force in a loose powder or granules can be 
measured by angle of repose. It is an indicative of the flow 
properties of the powder. 

Tan θ = H / R θ = tan-1 (H/R) 

Where,  

θ is the angle of repose, H is height of pile. R is radius of the 
base of pile 

The powder mixture was allowed to flow through the funnel 
fixed to a stand at definite height (H). The angle of repose was 
then calculated by measuring the height & radius of the heap 
of powder formed. Care was taken to see that the powder 
particles slip & roll over each other through the sides of the 
funnel. Relationship between angle of repose and powder flow 
property. 

Table 1: Angle of repose as an indication of powder flow 
properties 

Angle of repose (degrees) Type of flow 

<20 excellent 

20-30 Good 

30-34 Passable 

>40 Very poor 

 

Flow rate 

Flow rate of a powder has been defined as the rate at which 
the particular mass emerges through the office of funnel of a 
suitable diameter. The flow rate for granules of each 
formulation was determined by pouring accurately weighed 
quantities of granules in funnel with an orifice of 8 mm 
diameter. The time required for the complete granule mass to 
emerge out of the orifice was recorded using a stopwatch. The 
flow rate was calculated from following equation: 

 

Bulk density 

The bulk density was obtained by dividing the mass of a 
powder by the bulk volume in cm3. The sample of about 50 
cm3 of powder, previously been passed through a standard 
sieve no. 20, was carefully introduced into a 100 ml graduated 
cylinder. The cylinder was dropped at 2-second intervals onto 
a hard wood surface three times from a height of 1 inch. The 
bulk density of each formulation was then obtained by 
dividing the weight of sample in grams by the final volume in 
cm3 of the sample contained in the cylinder. It was calculated 
by using equation below: 

Df = M/Vp 

Where, 

  Df = bulk density, M = weight of samples in grams, Vp = final 



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volumes of granules in cm3 

Tapped density 

The tapped density was obtained by dividing the mass of a 
powder by the tapped volume in cm3. The sample of about 50 
cm3 of powder previously been passed through a standard 
sieve no. 20, is carefully introduced into a 100 ml graduated 
cylinder. The cylinder was dropped at 2-second intervals onto 
a hard wood surface 100 times from a height of 1 inch. The 
tapped density of each formulation was then obtained by 
dividing the weight of sample in grams by the final tapped 
volume in cm3 of the sample contained in the cylinder. It was 
calculated by using equation given below: 

Do= M/Vp 

Where, 

 Do= bulk density, M = weight of samples in grams, Vp = final 
volumes of granules in cm3 

Carr’s index 

An indirect method of measuring powder flow from bulk 
densities was developed by Carr. The percentage 
compressibility of a powder was a direct measure of the 
potential powder arch or bridge strength and stability. Carr’s 
index of each formulation was calculated according to 
equation given below: 

 

Where, 

Df = Fluff or Poured bulk or bulk density, Do = Tapped or 
Consolidated bulk density. 

Table 2: Carr’s Index as an indication of powder flow 

Carr’s index (%) Type of flow 

5-15 Excellent 

12-16 Good 

18-21 Fair to passable 

23-35 Poor 

33-38 Very poor 

>40 Extremely poor 

 

Evaluation of effervescent tablets  

Weight variation 

Weight variation was determined to know whether different 
batches of tablets have uniformity. Weighed 20 tablets 
individually, calculated the average weight and compared the 
individual tablet weights to the average. The tablets meet the 
test if not more than two tablets are outside the % limit and 
none of the tablet differ by more than two times the % 
limit.33-34 

Table 3: Weight variation specification 

IP/BP Limit USP 

80mg or less 10% 130mg or less 

Morethan80mgor 

less than 250mg 

7.5% 130mg to 324 mg 

250mg or more 5% More than 324mg 

 

 

Tablet thickness and diameter 

Thickness and diameter of tablets were important for 
uniformity of tablet size. Thickness and diameter were 
measured using Vernier Calipers. 

Tablet hardness 

The resistance of tablets to shipping or breakage under 
conditions of storage, transportation and handling before 
usage depends on its hardness. The hardness of tablet of each 
formulation was measured by Monsanto Hardness Tester. The 
hardness was measured in items of kg/cm2. Hardness or 
tablet crushing strength is the force required to break a tablet 
in a diametric compression. The force is measured in kg and 
the hardness of about 3-5 kg/cm2 is considered to be 
satisfactory for uncoated tablets.35 

Friability (F) 

Friability of the tablet determined using Roche friabilator. This 
device subjects the tablet to the combined effect of abrasion 
and shock in a plastic chamber revolving at 25 rpm and 
dropping a tablet at a height of 6 inches in each revolution. Pre 
weighted sample of tablets was placed in the friabilator and 
were subjected to the 100 revolutions. Tablets were dusted 
using a soft muslin cloth and reweighed. USP limit is 0.5 to 
1%.36 The friability (F) is given by the formula 

 

Measurement of effervescence time 

A single tablet is placed in a beaker containing 200 ml of 
purified water at 20 °C ± 1 °C. Whenever a clear solution 
without particles is obtained effervescence time has finished. 
The mean of three measurements of each formulation is to be 
reported.37 

Determination of effervescent solution pH 

of solution is determined with one tablet in 200 ml of 
purified water at 20 ± 1 °C by using pH meter, 
immediately after completing the dissolution time. Repeat 
experiment 3times for each formulation. 

Measurement of CO2 content 

One effervescent tablet solved in 100 ml of 1N sulphuric acid 
solution and weight changes were determined after 
dissolution end. The obtained weight difference is shown the 
amount (mg) of CO2 per tablet. Reports the averages of 
3determinations. 

Evaluation of the water content 

10 tablets of each formulation are dried in a desiccators 
containing of activated silica gel for 4 hours. Water content of 
0.5% or less is acceptable. 

Uniformity of content 

10 tablets were selected randomly. Each tablet was 
transferred into a 50mL volumetric flask, dissolved and 
diluted to 50 mL with phosphate buffer pH 6.8. One ml of this 
solution was diluted to 100 ml with phosphate buffer pH 6.8. 
The amount of drug present in each tablet was determined 
by UV spectroscopy at 246 nm. Standard limit for uniformity of 
content is 

IP: - Active less than 10mg or 10%,  

BP:- Active less than 2 mg or 2%,  

USP:- Active less than 25mg or 25%. 



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10 tabs limit NMT 1 tab deviate 85 – 115% & none outside 75 
– 125% of the Avg value/IP/BP/USP (Relative Standard 
Deviation less than or equal to 6%), 

If 2 or 3 individual values are outside the limits 85 – 115% of 
the Avg value, & none outside 75 – 125% repeat for 20 tablets. 

Determination of the equilibrium moisture content 

Three desiccators are prepared containing saturated salt 
solutions of potassium nitrate (for creation 90% RH, at 18 °C), 
sodium chloride (for creation 71% RH, at 18 °C) and sodium 
nitrite (for creation 60% RH, at 18 °C). Three tablets of each 
formulation are placed in desiccators. Then, the equilibrium 
moisture content is determined by Karl Fischer method and 
the autotitrator device in the first day and after 7day.38 

In-vitro disintegration time 

The process of breakdown of a tablet into smaller particles is 
called as disintegration. The in-vitro disintegration time of a 
tablet was determined using disintegration test apparatus as 
per I.P. specifications. (pH-6.8) maintained at37°±2°C as the 
immersion liquid. The assembly should be raised and 
lowered between 30 cycles per minute in the phosphate 
buffer (pH-6.8) maintained at 37°±2°C. The time in seconds 
taken for complete disintegration of the tablet with no 
palpable mass remaining in the apparatus was measured and 
recorded. Standard limit for disintegration time is within 3 min 
in water at 250C ± 10C (IP) and 15 – 250C (BP).  

Dissolution studies 

The release rate of Atorvastatin from mouth dissolving tablets 
was determined using USP Dissolution Testing Apparatus II 
(Paddle type). The dissolution medium used was 900 ml of 
phosphate buffer pH 6.8 which was maintained at 37±0.50C. 
The paddle speed was kept at 50 rpm throughout the study. 
Five ml of samples was withdrawn at every 5 minutes interval 
and diluted to 10ml then 5ml of fresh dissolution media 
maintained at the same temperature was replaniced. The 
samples were analysed spectrophotometrically at 246nm 
using phosphate buffer pH 6.8 as blank. The raw dissolution 
data was analyzed for calculating the amount of drug released 
and percentage cumulative drug released at different time 
intervals.39 

Release kinetic modeling of effervescent tablets 

In recent years, drug release from pharmaceutical dosage 
forms has been the subject of intense and profitable scientific 
developments. Whenever a new dosage form is developed 
form is developed, it is it is necessary to ensure that drug 
release occurs in an appropriate manner. The quantitative 
analysis of the values obtained in release tests is easier when 
mathematical formulas that express the release results as a 
function of some of the dosage forms characteristics are used. 
In some cases, these mathematic models are derived from 
the theoretical analysis of the occurring process. Drug 
dissolution from dosage forms has been described by kinetic 
models in which the dissolved amount of drug (Q) is a function 
of the test time, t or Q=f (t). Some analytical definitions of the 
Q (t) function are commonly used, such as zero order, first 
order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Papas.32,36-40  In-vitro 
dissolution has been recognized as an important 
pharmaceutical dosage form can influence the release element 
in drug development. Under certain conditions it kinetic be 
used as a surrogate for the assessment of bioequivalence. 
Several theories / kinetics models describe drug dissolution 
from immediate and modified release dosage forms. There are 
several models to represent the drug dissolution profiles 
where ft is a function of t (time) related to the amount of drug 
dissolved from the pharmaceutical dosage system. In most 

cases, with tablets, capsules, coated forms or prolonged 
release forms that theoretical fundament does not exist and 
sometimes a more adequate empirical equations used. A 
water-soluble drug incorporated in a matrix is mainly released 
by diffusion, while for a low water-soluble drug the selferosion 
of the matrix will be the principal release mechanism. To 
accomplish these studies the cumulative profiles of the 
dissolved drug are t more commonly used in opposition to 
their differential profiles. To compare dissolution profiles 
between two drug products model dependent (curve fitting), 
statistical analysis and model independent methods can be 
used.41 

Zero order kinetics 

Drug dissolution from dosage forms that do not disaggregate 
and release the drug slowly can be represented by the 
following equation 

Wo-Wt= Kt 

Where, 

Wo is the initial amount of drug in the dosage form, Wt is the 
initial amount of drug in the dosage form at time(t) ,       K is the 
proportionality constant, Dividing this equation by and 
simplify 

Ft=Kot 

Where ft= 1-(Wt-Wo) and ft represents the fraction of drug 
dissolved in time t and Ko the zero order of release constant. 

This relation can be used to describe the modified release 
dosage form; the following relation can, in simple way to 
express this model 

Qt = Qo + Kot 

Where, Qt is the amount of drug dissolved in time t. Qo is the 
amount of drug in the solution. 

First order kinetics 

Gibaldi and Feldman first proposed the application of 
this model to drug dissolution studies in 1967 and later by 
Wagner in 1969. The dissolution phenomena of solid particles 
in a liquid media implies a surface action, as can be seen by the 
Noyes- Whitney equation. 

DC/dt= K (Cs-C) 

Where, C is the concentration of the solute in time t, Cs is the 
solubility in the equilibrium at expression temperature K is the 
first order proportionality 

Higuchi model 

Higuchi developed several theoretical models to study the 
release of water soluble and low soluble drops incorporated in 
the matrixes. The drug particles dispersed in a uniform matrix 
behaving as the diffusion media, the relation obtained was the 
following: 

ft = Q= D(2C-Cs) Cst 

Where, 

Q is the amount of drug released in time t, per unit area, C is the 
drug initial concentration, 

Cs is the drug solubility in the matrix media, D is the diffusivity 
of the drug molecules (diffusion  constant in matrix). 

dQ = Cdh – ½ (Csdh) 

but, in accordance to the first law (dq/dt = DC/h) 

Higuchi in 1962 proposed the following equation, for the case 



Lodhi et al                                                                                                                                  Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2022; 2(4):1-8 

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in which the drug is dissolution. In general way it is possible to 
resume the Highuchi model to the following expression 
(generally known as the simplified Higuchi model). 

Ft = KHt 1/2. 

Where KH is the Highuchi dissolution constant treated 
sometimes in a different manner by different authors and 
theories. Higuchi describes drug release as a diffusion process 
based on Fick’s law, square root time dependent. 

Korsmeyer – peppas model 

Korsmeyer et al., in 1983 was developed a simple, semi 
empirical model, relating exponentially the drug release to the 
elapsed time (t). 

ft = atn 

a – is a constant incorporating structural and geometric 
characteristics of the drug dosage from, n is the release 
exponent, indicate of the drug release mechanisms and the 

 of drug). If drug 
release occurs under perfect sink condition, the following 
initial and boundary conditions, boundary conditions can be 
assumed, 

t=0-d/2<x<d/z                  C=C0 

t>0. x=+d/z= -d/z                C=C1 

c0-is the initial drug concentration in the device. 

C1 -is the concentration of drug at the polymer water interface. 

In the diffusion is the main drug release mechanism, a graphic 
representation the drug amount released, in the referred 
conditions, versus the square root of time should originate a 
straight line. 

Table 4: Mathematical models used to describe drug 
release mechanism 

S.NO. Mathematical model Equation 

1. Zero order Qt=Qo=kot 

2. First order In Q = in Qo + K1t 

3. Higuchi Qt=KH√t 

4. Korsmeyer-peppas Qt/Q∞=Kktn 

 

Conclusion 

Effervescence is defined as the evolution of gas bubbles from a 
liquid as a result of a chemical reaction. For medicinal use, 
effervescent tablets have specific characteristics that allow 
rapid adsorption of the intended drug. In this manner, a 
medication can be absorbed easily and effectively if it 
dissolves easily in water and is present at a sufficient dose. 
Common acids utilized for effervescent reactions are citric, 
malic, tartaric, adipic and fumaric acids. Citric acid is most 
commonly used for this application, which also adds a citrus-
like taste to the products. Tartaric, adipic and fumaric acids 
are usually used in small amounts, due to their low water 
solubility. We can conclude that effervescent tablets are used 
to simplify the handling of doses, provide optimal 
compatibility, promote superior and rapid absorption, 
increase a patient’s liquid intake and circumvent the difficulty 
of swallowing large pills.  

 

 

 

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