Comparative Study of Formulation and Evaluation for Aspirin 500 mg Vs 600 mg Tablets

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is a commonly used NSAID recognized for its analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet effects. It is included in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and works by irreversibly inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which blocks the synthesis of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. However, the formulation of aspirin poses challenges due to its hydrolytic instability and sensitivity to moisture, pH, and temperature. These factors can lead to its conversion into salicylic and acetic acids, which reduces its effectiveness. The 500 mg and 600 mg tablets are similar but differ notably in their formulation behavior; the higher drug load influences compressibility, disintegration, and dissolution. Therefore, optimizing the formulation with appropriate excipients and manufacturing methods—like direct compression or granulation—is essential. Both dosages must meet pharmacopoeial standards for hardness, friability, disintegration, dissolution, and assay. Stability studies conducted under ICH guidelines ensure product quality by focusing on degradation control and consistent therapeutic performance.