Simulación por computadora del proceso de obtención de tabletas comprimidas

In the pharmaceutical field, currently the simulation can be used as a technological analysis tool, which mimics inmathematical terms the manufacturing processes related to the development and manufacture of drugs in a perso nalcomputer. This technology thus provides an alternative to generate better results, lower risk and reducing costs. In thisstudy we proceeded to perform the simulation of the manufacturing process of compressed tablets of “cascara sagrada” obtained by the wet granulation method on a personal computer. Five batches in triplicate, containing “cascarasagrada” polyvinylpyrrolidone k-29 and lactose monohydrate, were prepared. In all batches produced, it was possibleto determine the time taken in each of the unit operations involved, moreover uniformity of weight, hardness, thickness and friability were evaluated. With these results, the simulation model was created in the Arena®simulation soft-ware version 10.0 making several tests to eliminate the bottleneck produced in the drying process. Using a Mermmert®oven at 40 ± 2 °C it was possible to eliminate the bottleneck and produced the desired values of the tablets properties. It was experimentally verified that results foretold by the simulator were reproduced and it concluded that a com-pressed tablets of “cascara sagrada” were developed in a short time at low cost. It is suggested that by the use of thistechnology it can be achieve the optimization of the manufacture of such pharmaceutical forms.