Effervescent tablets

Effervescent tablets are uncoated tablets that generally contain acid substances and carbonates or bicarbonates and which react rapidly in the presence of water by releasing carbon dioxide.(Effervescent tablets give off bubbles when they dissolves) Effervescent tablet is a tablet intended to be dissolved or dispersed in water before administration.They are good alternatives for dysphagic (who can't swallow tablets) patients.


Effervescent tablets mainly consists of 3 components.
1.API
2.Acid Source
3.Alkaline compound constituted by a carbonate or bicarbonate

Effervescent tablets can be used when 

1.Drugs are difficult to digest or disruptive to the stomach such as calcium carbonate tablets.

2.pH sensitive drugs such as amino acids and antibiotics 

3.Drugs requiring a large dose.

In normal tablet or powder calcium carbonate dissolves in the stomach acid and carried in to the digestive system for absorption.How ever calcium carbonate releases carbon dioxide when it dissolves in the gastrointestinal tract which usually produce gas in the stomach.As people age they have less acid in the stomach and thus a calcium carbonate tablet mass pass through the stomach without dissolving,that it turn may leads to constipation.However if the calcium carbonate is taken in an effervescent formation,the calcium dissolves in water,is readily available for the body to absorb,and there is no risk of excessive gas in the stomach or of constipation.

The low pH in the stomach can denature the API,lose activity or cause them to remain inactive,such as amino acids and vitamins.Effervescent ingredients however,can buffer the water active solution.So that the stomach pH increases and thus prevents the degradation or inactivation of API.