FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE GASTRO RETENTIVE FLOATING TABLETS

The investigation was concerned with design and characterization of oral sustained release gastro retentive floating tablets of DiltiazemHCl in order to improve efficacy and better patient compliance. Present investigation was to formulate, evaluate and optimize gastro retentive tablet of DiltiazemHCl. This tablets released drug till 24 hrs due to floating mechanism of polymers. Gastro retentive floating tablets were prepared by direct compression method using various proportions of polymersHPMC K4M, HPMC K100M,Carbopol 934, Ethyl cellulose, Xanthan gum along with Sodium bicarbonatethe sustained release behaviour of the fabricated tablets was investigated. Tablets were prepared by directcompretiontechnique.Formulation was optimized on the basis of acceptable tablet properties and in vitro drug release. The resulting formulation produced robust tablets with optimum hardness, consistent weight uniformity and low friability. All tablets but one exhibited gradual and near-complete sustained release for DiltiazemHCl (90-100%) at the end of 24 h. The results of dissolution studies indicated that formulation Dtz15 was found to be most successful as it exhibits drug release pattern very close to theoretical release profile. A decrease in release kinetics of the drug was observed on increasing polymer ratio. KEY WORDS: Sustained release, Gastro retentive floating, Diltiazim HCL, HPMC K100M, Carbopol 934