Purpose: Previous studies of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-based tablet during exposure to water showed a number of 'fronts' moving into the tablet but led to contradictory interpretations. These fronts are related to water penetration into and dissolution of the tablet, but the exact nature can not be derived from visible photographic evidence. A method to study tablet dissolution simultaneously by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) imaging and macro-photography can assist in providing correct interpretation of the observed fronts.
Methods: Therefore, the combination of macro-photography and FTIR-ATR spectroscopic imaging was developed and used to interpret the physical changes leading to the observed fronts. Buflomedyl pyridoxal phosphate (BPP), a coloured drug, was used as a model drug.
Results: The quantitative results obtained by FTIR-ATR imaging enabled the attribution of the three observed fronts (inside to outside) to: (1) true water penetration, possibly combined with (partial) dissolution of buflomedyl pyridoxal phosphate (BPP); (2) total gellification of HPMC; (3) erosion front.
Conclusions: The method to study dissolution of a tablet simultaneously by FTIR-ATR imaging and macro-photography has been developed and used to obtain reliable interpretation of the fronts observed during tablet dissolution.