FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS OF DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE CITRATE

The main aim of the study was to develop or odispersible tablets of diethyl carbamazine citrate (an anthelmintic) for improving patient compliance, especially those of paediatric & geriatric categories with difficulties in swallowing. In the wet granulation method mixture of sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid along with agar were used as disintegrates. The tablet formulation containing 28 mg of agar, 26 mg of sodium bicarbonate and 26 mg of tartaric acid considered as the overall best formulation (with an in vitro dispersion time of approx. 54.39 sec and in vitro drug release of 98.4 %) Short term stability studies (at 40±2ºC/75±5% RH) on the best formulation indicated that there no significant changes in drug content. IR spectroscopic study indicated that there are no drug excipient interactions. The use of mixture of tartaric acid and sodium bicarbonate further assists in taste masking. Undoubtedly the availability of various technologies and the manifold advantages of orodispersible tablets will surely enhance the patient compliance providing rapid onset of action. Keywords: Diethyl carbamazine citrate, Orodispersible tablets, IR spectroscop