ABSTRACT
Pharmaceutical class extruders are evolving as continuous processing devices
to mix drugs with carriers for solid dosage forms and transdermal films, as well as to produce wet granulations. In melt extrusion, which has been used
for many years in the plastics industry, the carrier is melted and mixed with
an active ingredient, devolatilized and pumped through a die. In contrast, wet
granulation refers to the process of fine powdered materials being mixed with liquids to impart morphological and other specific characteristics to facilitate the production and the performance of tablets and other solid
dosage forms. The focus of the discussion will be primarily aimed at melt
extrusion, the more common application and, to a lesser extent, at the wet
granulation process.
