Title:Formulation Development and Characterization of Controlled Release Core-in-cup Matrix Tablets of Venlafaxine HCl
VOLUME: 15 ISSUE: 5
Author(s):Balaji Maddiboyina, Vikas Jhawat*, Gandhi Sivaraman, Omprakash Sunnapu, Ramya Krishna Nakkala, Mudavath Hanuma Naik and Monika Gulia
Affiliation:Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vishwa Bharathi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guntur, A.P, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical & Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Gurugram, Haryana, Department of Chemistry, Gandhigram Rural Institute Deemed University, Dindigul, Tamilnadu, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Anna University, Dindigul, Tamilnadu, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vishwa Bharathi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guntur, A.P, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vishwa Bharathi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guntur, A.P, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical & Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Gurugram, Haryana
Keywords:Venlafaxine HCl, polymers, controlled release, core and cup, HPMC, wet granulation, matrix tablets.
Abstract:
Background: Venlafaxine HCl is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which is given in
the treatment of depression. The delivery of the drug at a controlled rate can be of great importance for
a prolonged effect.
Objective: The objective was to prepare and optimize the controlled release core in a cup matrix tablet
of venlafaxine HCl using the combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers to prolong the
effect with rate controlled drug release.
Methods: The controlled release core in cup matrix tablets of venlafaxine HCl was prepared using
HPMC K5, K4, K15, HCO, IPA, aerosol, magnesium stearate, hydrogenated castor oil and micro crystalline
cellulose PVOK-900 using wet granulation technique. Total ten formulations with varying concentrations
of polymers were prepared and evaluated for different physicochemical parameters such
FTIR analysis for drug identification. In-vitro drug dissolution study was performed to evaluate the
amount of drug release in 24 hrs, drug release kinetics study was performed to fit the data in zero order,
first order, Hixson-crowell and Higuchi equation to determine the mechanism of drug release and stability
studies for 3 months as observed.
Results: The results of hardness, thickness, weight variation, friability and drug content study were in
an acceptable range for all formulations. Based on the in vitro dissolution profile, formulation F-9was
considered to be the optimized, extending the release of 98.32% of drug up to 24 hrs. The data fitting
study showed that the optimized formulation followed the zero order release rate kinetics and when
compared with the innovator product (flavix XR), showed better drug release profile.
Conclusion: The core-in-cup technology has the potential to control the release rate of freely water
soluble drugs for single administration per day by optimization with the combined use of hydrophilic
and hydrophobic polymers.
