Abstract

FORMULATION, DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF SUGAR AND JAGGERY BASED LOZENGES OF DEXTROMETHORPHAN HYDROBROMIDE

Prakruti Amin, Dhruvi Shah*, Dharani Shah, Honey Shah and Krima Shah

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Abstract

This study presents the formulation, development, and evaluation of sugar and jaggery based lozenges containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXM HBr), a widely utilized antitussive medication. The special population such as pediatric and gediatric are having difficulty in swallowing solid dosage form, so for them lozenges is a good option. Cough and Cold is a common syndrome that we find during seasonal changes, for that Dextromethorphan is used as dry cough and with growing concerns over the health implications due to excessive sugar consumption, there is a burgeoning interest in exploring alternative sweeteners for pharmaceutical formulations. Jaggery, a natural sweetener derived from sugarcane or date palm sap, offers a potential alternative due to its perceived health benefits and cultural acceptance. Various formulations were prepared utilizing different ratios of sugar and jaggery in combination with other excipients employing the heating and congealing method. During the development process, one of the frequent hurdles was the bitterness of the drug, which was successfully mitigated through the use of taste masking agents such as Kyron T-134 resin and honey. Physicochemical characterization, encompassing parameters such as weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time, and drug content uniformity, was conducted to assess the quality attributes of the lozenges. Furthermore, in vitro dissolution studies were performed to investigate the drug release kinetics. The results revealed that sugar and jaggery-based lozenges of DXN HBr exhibited satisfactory physicochemical properties and drug release profiles. Notably, sensory evaluation indicated favourable acceptability, with jaggery-based formulations demonstrating enhanced palatability compared to those containing only sugar. This research underscores the potential of utilizing jaggery as a natural sweetener in pharmaceutical formulations, offering improved taste profiles while addressing concerns regarding sugar content. The backup dosage form with enhanced palatability and broader acceptability, particularly among populations seeking natural product options.

Keywords: Pediatric, Geriatric, Dextromethorphan Hbr, Sugar, Jaggery, KyronT-134, Heating and congealing method.