In vitro and in vivo evaluation of taste-masked orodispersible tablets of fluoxetine hydrochloride for the treatment of depression.

AIM: Fluoxetine (FLX) has become the first-line drug in the pharmacotherapy of patients with depression. However, it has a strong unpleasant bitter taste, leading to the failure to complete the therapy. In this study, FLX is formulated into orodispersible tablets (ODTs) characterized by a fast release with an acceptable taste. METHOD: FLX ODTs were prepared by the complexation of FLX with ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) for taste-masking, using different super disintegrants, namely crospovidone (CP), croscarmellose sodium (Ccs), sodium starch glycolate (SSG), and indion. The FLX powder blend is estimated for pre-and post-compression parameters. The selected tablet formulations based upon drug release at 40 s with acceptable release patterns are investigated for accelerated stability testing and comparative in vivo study with a marketed product. RESULTS: It was found that all FLX-powder blends have good flow properties; all the prepared tablets complied with the pharmacopeial requirements for the unity of content, weight, friability, and hardness. Moreover, all the tablets obtained acceptable taste after complexation with ß-CD. The order of release of the drug, regarding super disintegrants used, was as in the following descending order: CP > Ccs > SSG > indion. Accelerated stability study of selected formulation F2 and F6 showed that; there were no considerable changes in physical properties, drug content, and percentage drug release. Furthermore, also the in vivo study proved the effectiveness of FLX ODTs as an antidepressant. CONCLUSION: The results obtained showed a promising potential of the prepared FLX ODTs for treating depression effectively.

Development of medicated chewing gum of taste masked levocetirizine dihydrochloride using different gum bases: in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop medicated chewing gum (MCG) formulation for taste-masked levocetirizine dihydrochloride (LCZ) that can provide fast drug release into the salivary fluid.Methods: Taste-masked LCZ was first prepared by two methods: cyclodextrin complexation using Kleptose or Captisol and formation of drug resin complex using Kyron T-154 or Kyron T-314 to overcome poor LCZ palatability. MCGs were then prepared using the taste-masked drug, gum base (Artica-T, Chicle, or Health In Gum (HIG), plasticizer (glycerol or soy lecithin at 6 or 8% of the final gum weight). The developed MCGs were evaluated for physical properties, content uniformity, and drug release. Best release MCGs were evaluated thermally to investigate the plasticizer effectiveness and for ex vivo chew out study to confirm adequate drug release. Drug bioavailability was determined for selected formula compared to commercial tablets.Results: Based on taste-masking efficiency, drug/Kleptose complex (1:3 molar ratio) was chosen for incorporation into chewing gums. Physical properties and drug release showed that gum base type, plasticizer type, and level affected not only physical properties but also drug release from MCGs. Thermal study showed decreased glass transition temperature (Tg) with increased plasticizer level. Chew out study confirmed almost complete drug release after a few minutes of chewing. Pharmacokinetic results showed shorter tmax (0.585 vs. 1.375 h) and higher Cmax (0.113 vs. 0.0765 µg/mL) for MCGs than conventional tablets.Conclusion: Results provided evidence that MCGs could be a better alternative to conventional tablet formulations with improved bioavailability and enhanced palatability.

Formulation and in vitro evaluation of a thermoreversible mucoadhesive nasal gel of itopride hydrochloride.

Itopride hydrochloride (ITO HCl) is a prokinetic agent, used in the treatment of gastrointestinal motility disorders. The aim of the study was to develop stable mucoadhesive thermoreversible nasal gel to avoid first pass effect. ITO HCl was incorporated into the blends of thermoreversible polymers like poloxamer 407 and various mucoadhesive polymers in different concentrations to increase the contact of the formulations with nasal mucosa. The compatibility between the drug and the suggested polymers was studied by Fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The formulations were evaluated for clarity, pH, gelation temperature, mucoadhesive strength, gel strength, viscosity, and drug content. In addition, the in vitro drug release and the dissolution efficiency (DE)% were measured. The optimized formulations that showed the highest dissolution efficiency% (DE%) in saline phosphate buffer of pH 6.4 at 35 ± 0.5 °C were chosen for stability testing at temperatures of 4 ± 2 and 25 ± 2 °C/60 ± 5% RH. It was found that F1 and F17 that contain 18% w/v poloxamer 407 and 0.5% w/v of hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose K4M or methyl cellulose (MC), respectively, showed higher stability results as indicated by their higher t90 values (days).