Design, Development and Optimization of Pulsatile Core in Cup Tablets of Naproxen

Abstract

The aim of the present study to prepare Pulsatile release tablet of naproxen for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The drug delivery system was designed to deliver the drug at a time when it could be most needful for the patient. Drug excipient compatibility studies were carried out using DSC and found to be compatible with each other. Pulsatile tablet was prepared by direct compression method using different type and amount of superdisintegrants and coating polymers and evaluated for pre and post compression parameters. Box Behnken design was applied to optimize responses. Concentrations of Sodium starch glycolate (SSG) (X1), Ethyl cellulose (EC) (X2), and HPMC K100M (X3) were selected as independent variables while Lag time (Y1) and % drug release at 8 hrs (Y2) were selected as dependent variables. The prepared tablets were evaluated for post compression parameters and results indicated that concentration of SSG has major effect on in vitro drug release while concentration of EC and HPMC K100M has major effect on Lag time. Batch BE13 prepared with SSG 35mg, EC 175mg, and HPMC K100M 75 mg was found to be best batch as it achieves predetermined lag time of 5 hr 02 min and 99.32% of drug release. There was no significant variation in formulation at the end of six month accelerated stability study.