Multiple response optimization of processing and formulation parameters of Eudragit RL/RS-based matrix tablets for sustained delivery of diclofenac.

CONTEXT: Multiple response optimization is an efficient technique to develop sustained release formulation while decreasing the number of experiments based on trial and error approach. OBJECTIVE: Diclofenac matrix tablets were optimized to achieve a release profile conforming to USP monograph, matching Voltaren®SR and withstand formulation variables. The percent of drug released at predetermined multiple time points were the response variables in the design. Statistical models were obtained with relative contour diagrams being overlaid to predict process and formulation parameters expected to produce the target release profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tablets were prepared by wet granulation using mixture of equivalent quantities of Eudragit RL/RS at overall polymer concentration of 10-30%w/w and compressed at 5-15KN. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Drug release from the optimized formulation E4 (15%w/w, 15KN) was similar to Voltaren, conformed to USP monograph and found to be stable. Substituting lactose with mannitol, reversing the ratio between lactose and microcrystalline cellulose or increasing drug load showed no significant difference in drug release. Using dextromethorphan hydrobromide as a model soluble drug showed burst release due to higher solubility and formation of micro cavities. CONCLUSION: A numerical optimization technique was employed to develop a stable consistent promising formulation for sustained delivery of diclofenac.

STUDYING THE IMPACT OF FORMULATION AND PROCESSING PARAMETERS ON THE RELEASE CHARACTERISTICS FROM HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE MATRIX TABLETS OF DICLOFENAC.

Hydrophilic matrices, especially HPMC based, are widely used to provide sustained delivery where drug release occurs mainly by diffusion. A 3(2) full factorial design was used to develop and evaluate HPMC matrix tablet for sustained delivery of diclofenac. The influences of polymer concentration/viscosity, diluent type/ratio, drug load/solubility, compression force and pH change on drug release were investigated. Ten tablet formulations were prepared using wet granulation. HPMC K15M (10-30% w/w) was used as the polymer forming matrix. The release kinetics, compatibility studies, lot reproducibility and effect on storage were discussed. Increasing polymer concentration and compression force showed antagonistic effect on release rate. Mannitol tends to increase release rate more than lactose. Reversing diluent ratio between lactose and MCC did not affect drug release. Changing pH resulted in burst release whereas drug solubility is pH independent. F1 showed similar release to Voltaren SR and followed Higuchi model. Drug and polymer were compatible to each other. The formulation is stable at long and intermediate conditions with a significant increase in release rate at accelerated conditions due to water uptake and polymer swelling. The developed formulation was successful for a sustained delivery of diclofenac.

Accuracy of tablet splitting: Comparison study between hand splitting and tablet cutter.

BACKGROUND: Tablet splitting is often used in pharmacy practice to adjust the administered doses. It is also used as a method of reducing medication costs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy of tablet splitting by comparing hand splitting vs. a tablet cutter for a low dose drug tablet. METHODS: Salbutamol tablets (4 mg) were chosen as low dose tablets. A randomly selected equal number of tablets were split by hand and a tablet cutter, and the remaining tablets were kept whole. Weight variation and drug content were analysed for salbutamol in 0.1 N HCl using a validated spectrophotometric method. The percentages by which each whole tablet's or half-tablet's drug content and weight difference from sample mean values were compared with USP specification ranges for drug content. The %RSD was also calculated in order to determine whether the drugs met USP specification for %RSD. The tablets and half tablets were scanned using electron microscopy to show any visual differences arising from splitting. RESULTS: 27.5% of samples differed from sample mean values by a percentage that fell outside of USP specification for weight, of which 15% from the tablet cutter and 25% from those split by hand fell outside the specifications. All whole tablets and half tablets met the USP specifications for drug content but the variation of content between the two halves reached 21.3% of total content in case of hand splitting, and 7.13% only for the tablet cutter. The %RSDs for drug content and weight met the USP specification for whole salbutamol tablets and the half tablets which were split by tablet cutter. The halves which were split by hand fell outside the specification for %RSD (drug content = 6.43%, weight = 8.33%). The differences were visually clear in the electron microscope scans. CONCLUSION: Drug content variation in half-tablets appeared to be attributable to weight variation occurring during the splitting process. This could have serious clinical consequences for medications with a narrow therapeutic-toxic range. On the basis of our results, we recommend to avoid tablet splitting whenever possible or the use of an accurate tablet splitting device when splitting cannot be avoided.