Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF METOPROLOL SUCCINATE SUSTAINED RELEASE TABLETS

V. Sai Raghava, Dr. C. Aparna* and Dr. M. Bhagavan Raju

ABSTRACT

A sustained effect of Metoprolol Succinate is required for the treatment of some chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and chronic pain. Sustained release matrix tablets of Metoprolol Succinate were formulated using polymers (ethyl cellulose, Eudragit-RL100, PVP) and hydrophilic gums (guar gum, xanthan gum) in various concentrations. Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (Na.CMC), micro crystalline cellulose and lactose were used as fillers. Nineteen different formulations of matrix tablets of Metoprolol Succinate were produced by wet granulation and direct compression methods. The flow properties of the granules and the physical properties of the compressed tablets namely, weight uniformity, crushing strength, drug content, friability and tablet thickness were evaluated. In – vitro release studies of the drug was performed in 0.1 N HCl for 2 hrs and phosphate buffer pH 6.8 for 10 hours. The best selected formulation F14 (containing 35% of Eudragit-RL100) sustained the drug release for 12 hrs. All the physical characteristics of the formulated tablets were within acceptable limits. The best selected formulation F14 has exhibited anomalous Non-Fickian diffusion (i.e., n<1). This was observed due to the effect of swelling/erosion of polymer (Eudragit RL-100).

Keywords: Sustained release tablets, Metoprolol Succinate, Hydrophilic gums & hydrophobic polymers.