MUPS tablets were made using drug-loaded pellets with either crospovidone or microcrystalline cellulose core, coated with ethylcellulose for sustained drug release. The study compared the ability of these pellets to withstand damage during tableting. Pellets with microcrystalline cellulose were stronger and had less coat damage compared to crospovidone pellets. However, crospovidone pellets could still be used to make acceptable MUPS tablets, though not as strong as those made with microcrystalline cellulose.