Influence of polymethacrylates and compritol on release profile of a highly water soluble drug metformin hydrochloride

Aims: The present investigation studied effect of polymethacrylates Eudragit RSPO, Eudragit RLPO and compritol 888 ATO on release profile of highly water soluble drug metformin hydrochloride (MET). Materials and Methods: The solid dispersions were prepared using drug:polymer ratios 1:1 and 1:5 by coevaporation and coprecipitation techniques. Solid dispersions were characterized by infrared Spectroscopy (IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) as well as content uniformity, in vitro dissolution studies in 0.1 N HCl pH 1.2, phosphate buffer pH 6.8. Results and Discussion: Results of the studies suggested that there were progressive disappearance or changes of prominent peaks in IR, X-ray diffraction and thermotropic drug signals in coevaporates and coprecipitates with increased amount of polymers. Moreover, the in vitro release of highly water soluble MET could be extended at higher drug:polymer ratios. Conclusion: It was summarized that Eudragit RLPO had greater capacity of drug release than Eudragit RSPO and Comproitol 888 and its coevaporates in 1:5 drug:polymer ratio (F11) displayed extended drug release with comparatively higher dissolution rates (92.15 % drug release at 12 hour) following near Zero order kinetics (r² =0.9822)