Preparation of tablets containing enteric-coated diclofenac sodium pellets

Fluidized-bed manufactured enteric-coated diclofenac sodium pellets were compressed into tablets. The blend of two aqueous acrylic resins dispersion in different ratios, EudragitNE30D and EudragitL30D-55, were used to prepare enteric-coated diclofenac sodium pellets of different particle sizes and coating level. The cushioning pellets with different properties and these enteric-coated pellets were compressed into tablets in different proportions. The drug release of the tablets containing these pellets would be lower than 10% in 2 h in simulated gastric fluid, but reach (83±2.42)% in 1 h in simulated enteric fluid. The mixture of EudragitNE30D and EudragitL30D-55 could be used to prepare enteric pellets which are suitable for compression. The cushioning pellets which were composed of stearic acid/microcrystalline cellulose (4∶1, w/w) could avoid rupture of the coating of pellets during the compression.