FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF BILAYER TABLETS OF PROPRANOLOL HYDROCHLORIDE

The purpose of this study is to prepare a bilayer tablet of Propranolol HCl using Wet granulation technology and to formulate optimized formulation. Propranolol HCl, a nonselective β-adrenergic blocker which is the best drug candidate to formulate in to bilayer tablets fast release of drug from immediate release layer can give rapid onset of action which will help which will help to reduce Blood pressure within short period of time while maintenance dose of Propranolol HCl will maintain plasma concentration within therapeutic range for 12hrs having short half-life (3-5 hr) and first pass metabolism favors for sustained release dosage form. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. Hydrophobic matrix materials such as ethyl cellulose were used, which can release the drug up to 12 hrs in predetermined rate. Binder used was Starch paste (10%).The influence of hydrophobic polymer and granulation technique was studied. In this study, a bilayer tablet was prepared which contains an immediate release portion layer and sustained release portion. Ethyl cellulose were used as in alone, for Sustained release and Superdisintegrant Cross Povidone for immediate release used. The bilayer tablets were characterized by Calibration Curve, Calculation of Dose, Bulk Density, Tapped density, Angle of repose, Carr’s Index, Hausner’s ratio, Weight Variation, Hardness, Friability, Thickness, Drug Content and In-vitro dissolution profile. The granules showed satisfactory flow properties and compressibility. Best Formulation F3 [Drug + Ethylcellulose (1:3)] showed High % drug release 87.40% release, high drug content, high hardness and friability. Hence, it was found better than F1 and F2 so F3 is the best formulation. Keywords: Propranolol Hydrochloride, Ethylcellulose, Bilayer Tablets