Abstract

Design and Evaluation of Controlled Release Matrix Tablets of Flurbiprofen

Author(s): K. V. R. N. S. Ramesh, B. Hema Kirnamayi and M. Sailaja

Controlled release matrix tablets of flurbiprofen were designed by employing chitosan and sodium alginate as release rate controlling polymers. A Combination of chitosan and sodium alginate in 1 : 1 ratio is employed for the preparation of the polymer matrix. As the release of the drug from the matrix tablets is very slow, various excipients such Microcrystalline cellulose, starch and lactose individually and in combination in different proportions are included in the matrix formulation to verify their influence on the drug release characteristics. The tablets were tested for drug content, weight variation, hardness, thickness, friability and swelling characteristic. The analysis of the release of the drug from different formulation prepared indicates that while there was only 57% drug release at the end of 12 hours from matrix tablets without the added excipients, the release of the drug is found to be increased but slow and sustained and complete when water soluble excipients starch and lactose are included in the matrix tablets. The inclusion of microcrystalline cellulose has further modified the release to achieve slow and controlled release of the over a period of 12 hours. The drug release is found to follow first order kinetics and is found to be diffusion controlled.