Directly compressible vehicles (DCV) are vehicles or excipients that can be used in the direct compression method for tablet manufacturing. This method involves the compression of tablets using only the active ingredient and a compatible vehicle without any granulation or wetting process. The DCV is an essential component in this process, and its quality can directly affect the final product’s properties.

DCVs should meet certain requirements to be considered suitable for direct compression. The requirements include:

1. Good flowability: DCVs should have excellent flow properties to ensure uniformity and consistency of tablet weight and size. Poor flowability can lead to segregation, capping, and lamination during compression.

2. Adequate compressibility: The DCV should have enough compressibility to produce a hard, robust tablet with good dissolution properties. The compressibility of the DCV is an essential factor to determine the tablet’s strength and hardness.

3. Good binding properties: The DCV should have good binding properties to ensure adequate cohesion between the active ingredient and the vehicle during compression. It should form tablets with uniform porosity and disintegration properties.

Some commonly used DCVs include lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, and mannitol. These excipients have excellent flowability, compressibility, and binding properties required for direct compression. However, the choice of DCV depends on the active ingredient’s physicochemical properties and the desired tablet characteristics.

In conclusion, DCVs play a crucial role in the direct compression method, and their quality can significantly affect the final product’s properties. Therefore, it is essential to choose the appropriate DCV based on its flowability, compressibility, and binding properties to ensure a robust and efficient tablet manufacturing process.