DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SUSTAINED RELEASE MATRIX TABLETS OF METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE USING COMBINATION OF HYDROPHILIC POLYMERS

Sustained release system is types of modified drug delivery system that can be used as an alternative to conventional system. Among different dosage forms, matrix tablets are widely accepted for oral sustained release Metformin hydrochloride has relatively short plasma half-life, low absolute bioavailability. The need for the administration two to three times a day when larger doses are required can decrease patient compliance. Sustained release formulation that would maintain plasma level for 8-12 h might be sufficient for daily dosing of metformin. Sustained release products are needed for metformin to prolong its duration of action and to improve patient compliances. They are capable of reducing the dose intake, minimize the blood level oscillation dose related adverse effect and cost thus improves the patient compliance in the therapeutic management of diabetes. The Metformin hydrochloride matrix Sustained release tablets were prepared using different hydrophilic polymers in various proportions as release retarding agent to prolong the drug release and to improve the patience compliance. The tablets were evaluated for various tests like hardness, friability, disintegration and in-vitro dissolution studies. Keywords: Matrix Tablets, Metformin hydrochloride, Hardness, Friability, Disintegration and in-vitro dissolution studie