Disadvantages of the Dry Granulation Technique

Whereas dry granulation is an almost perfect technique for producing solid granules without using water, it has some flaws. Some of the common disadvantages of this technique involve the final product and not the process itself. The following are some of them;

Possible Cross-contamination from Dust Produced

The process of dry granulation produces dust as it forms the granules. The dust comes off since there is no water or liquid to prevent dust particles from escaping during the compression. This dust can cause cross-contamination if it finds its way back into the machine. As such, control measures are needed to eradicate this problem.

Tablets Produced Might Easily Crumble

Provided that the granules that are made from dry granulation are highly porous, there is a high possibility of them crumbling. Additionally, the roller compaction machine has subpar flow characteristics which affect the nature of the granules. Specifically, the granules might end up in varying sizes and shapes, which eventually means poor stability.

Not Suitable for Some Products

The main reason why the dry granulation technique exists is to cater to products that cannot be granulated without water. On the other hand, those that require water can be easily manufactured using the alternative technique - wet granulation.