Silk Road forums

Discussion => Off topic => Topic started by: Pill press on July 19, 2012, 08:04 pm

Title: Pressing Tablets
Post by: Pill press on July 19, 2012, 08:04 pm
(former) SR Pill pressers,

I tried to press 'test' pills with corn starch and these tablets just crumble apart any tips/suggestions on making a strong firm tablet?

Will have microcrystalineceluse soon will this be able to make a strong firm pill?

Help greatly appreciated!

NOTE: manual pill press w/o a engine
Title: Re: Pressing Tablets
Post by: 00OOIlI00lO1O0 on July 20, 2012, 04:08 am
The microcystalline cellulose should solve your problem(s).

There are many factors at play, including how much compression your press offers (probably not a lot being a manual, but this can be a good thing: highly compressed pills can take too long to break apart), the particle sizing of your active ingredient, the particle sizing of your excipients and the shape can matter too.

Lactose has good binding properties too, and should be easier to acquire than the microcrystalline cellulose. Consider doing a mix of the two to save resources. It might even work on its own.

Starch was a doomed effort, but having a small amount can help break apart a highly compressed tablet upon hitting moisture since moisture causes the starch to inflate like a balloon and break the tablet apart.

The above is all speculation, seriously. Please report with your actual results.

Please don't try to directly compress tablets that will contain just a few milligrams of active ingredient, your tablets will be so variable that you'll be putting lives at risk. You'll need to know how to do a granulation if you're working with such potent compounds.
Title: Re: Pressing Tablets
Post by: Hiding on July 20, 2012, 04:12 am
If you're using a deep or sticky press, get a small amount of magnesium stearate to help with releasing the tablets.
Title: Re: Pressing Tablets
Post by: 34tuforlunch on July 20, 2012, 04:19 am
If its one of the under $100 screw style ones you are never goona get a good hard pill. Had one of those things a while back it made super soft pills would fall into 3 pieces if you dropped from 3 feet. Recommend using caps so much simpler.
Title: Re: Pressing Tablets
Post by: Pill press on July 20, 2012, 02:32 pm
If its one of the under $100 screw style ones you are never goona get a good hard pill. Had one of those things a while back it made super soft pills would fall into 3 pieces if you dropped from 3 feet. Recommend using caps so much simpler.

It's a real press that costs at least 3 figures it's capable of producing thousands of pills an hours, not some $30,- pollen press..


If you're using a deep or sticky press, get a small amount of magnesium stearate to help with releasing the tablets.

Already have mangesium stearate but thank you for your suggestion!

The microcystalline cellulose should solve your problem(s).

There are many factors at play, including how much compression your press offers (probably not a lot being a manual, but this can be a good thing: highly compressed pills can take too long to break apart), the particle sizing of your active ingredient, the particle sizing of your excipients and the shape can matter too.

Lactose has good binding properties too, and should be easier to acquire than the microcrystalline cellulose. Consider doing a mix of the two to save resources. It might even work on its own.

Starch was a doomed effort, but having a small amount can help break apart a highly compressed tablet upon hitting moisture since moisture causes the starch to inflate like a balloon and break the tablet apart.

The above is all speculation, seriously. Please report with your actual results.

Please don't try to directly compress tablets that will contain just a few milligrams of active ingredient, your tablets will be so variable that you'll be putting lives at risk. You'll need to know how to do a granulation if you're working with such potent compounds.


Thank you for your informative post and putting my mind at ease, i tried HPBCD for a test pill and this one was much more compact (and smooth) and didn't crumble apart when applying even the smallest amount of pressure.

Will try to get some lactose and will try several combinations and post with results.

In the mean time all input is welcome!