Effervescent Technology Overview

Effervescent products are based on a chemical incompatibility between “Bicarbonate” and an “Acidic” source.

This reaction is an autocatalytic reaction catalyzed by the presence of water and heat, that generates CO2 in solution: HCO3- (+) H+ -----> CO2 + H2O.

Effervescence is the Escape of Gas from a Liquid Solution. It is a proven delivery System.

The term usually used to describe the foaming or fizzing that results from gas.
This process is generally represented by the following reaction, where H2O and CO2 react to form a dilute solution of Carbonic Acid [H2O + CO2 ----> H2CO3].

CO2 is the promoter of the transport of a drug across a biological membrane. The mechanisms by means of which “CO2 acts as an absorption promoter” were summarized as follows:

(1.) A solvent drag effect.
(2.) Opening of tight junctions.
(3.) Increase in the hydrophobicity of the cell membrane, thus promoting the absorption of hydrophobic drugs.

Carbon dioxide created by the effervescent reaction can induce enhanced active-ingredient permeability due to an alteration of the paracellular pathway.

The paracellular pathway is the primary route of absorption for hydrophilic [having a tendency to mix with, dissolve in] active ingredients in which solute [the minor component in a solution] diffuse into intercellular space between epithelial [the thin tissue forming the outer layer of a body’s surface & lining the alimentary canal & other hollow structures] cells. The carbon dioxide alters (widens) the intercellular space between cells, which leads to greater absorption of active ingredients (both hydrophobic {tending to repel to mix with water} and hydrophilic).

The solution of the effervescent tablet contains “a balanced ratio of acids and carbonates”. This balance is called a buffer. Additionally, with effervescent tablets dissolved in liquid, the ingredients are absorbed quickly, completely and uniformly.