Abstract

Design and Evaluation of Gliclazide CR Tablets employing Calcium Starch A New Starch Based Polymer

Author(s): K. P. R. Chowdary, P. Tripura Sundari and G. Sailaja

The objective of the present investigation is to synthesize calcium starch, a new starch based polymer and to evaluate its application in controlled release (CR) and in the design of gliclazide controlled release tablets. Calcium starch polymer was synthesized by gelatinization of starch in the presence of sodium hydroxide and cross linking by treatment with calcium chloride. Matrix tablets each containing 30 mg of gliclazide were formulated employing calcium starch polymer in different proportions of drug and polymer and the tablets were evaluated. Gliclazide release from the formulated tablets was slow and spread over 24 h and depend on percent polymer in the tablet. Non – Fickian diffusion was the drug release mechanism from the formulated tablets. Gliclazide release from matrix tablets F3 formulated employing 5 % calcium starch was similar to that from Diamicron MR Tablets, a commercial sustained release formulation of gliclazide. Calcium starch polymer was found suitable for the design of oral controlled release tablets of gliclazide.