European Pharmacopoeia -ph. Eur.- Monograph Tablets -0478- Page
For specialized forms like gastro-resistant tablets, the monograph mandates specific resistance to acidic gastric fluids (pH 1.2) for a set period, followed by rapid release in a simulated intestinal environment (pH 6.8). The Importance of Compliance
According to the monograph, tablets are intended for oral administration. Some are swallowed whole, some after chewing, some are dissolved or dispersed in water before administration, and others are intended to be retained in the mouth to release the active substance.
Its specific requirements for tablet categories, mechanical strength, and, most notably, the precise and challenging subdivision rules for scored tablets, ensure patient safety. Through ongoing revisions and international harmonization efforts, monograph 0478 continues to set the gold standard for tablet quality, promoting public health and facilitating the global availability of safe, effective medicines. For any professional involved in pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, or quality assurance, a thorough understanding of this monograph is not optional—it is essential. European Pharmacopoeia -ph. Eur.- Monograph Tablets -0478-
Monograph 0478 was first published in 1969 (as "Tabulettae") and last revised in (Ph. Eur. 11.3).
Designed to resist gastric fluid for 2–3 hours but disintegrate in intestinal fluid within 60 minutes. Monograph 0478 was first published in 1969 (as
Understanding European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) Monograph 0478: A Comprehensive Guide to Tablet Quality Standards
The European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) Monograph 0478 defines quality standards for oral tablets, covering production, testing, and definitions for various types. It requires strict testing for uniformity of dosage, disintegration, dissolution, and, since Supplement 9.3, specific standards for subdivided (scored) tablet mass. For more details, visit EDQM . For many tablets
For many tablets, disintegration is not enough; the drug must dissolve to be absorbed. Dissolution testing measures the rate and extent of drug release into a medium under controlled conditions (apparatus 1: Basket, or apparatus 2: Paddle).