Abstract

ETORICOXIB ORODISPERSIBLE TABLETS: FORMULATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION

Abstract

Etoricoxib is a novel, selective second generation cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor administered orally as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug that is used for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis. The poor aqueous solubility of the drug leads to variable dissolution rates. In the present investigation, etoricoxib dispersible tablets were prepared in six formulations with varying concentration of three superdisintegrants: Crospovidone (Polyplasdone XL), Croscarmellose Sodium (Ac-Di-Sol) and Sodium starch glycolate (Primojel) and mannitol (granular) was used as diluents. Tablets were prepared using direct compression technique and were evaluated for its thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration test, weight variation test, water Absorption ratio, wetting time, In vitro Dispersion Time & In vitro Dissolution. The drug content was found in the range of 98.86 – 104.87 % and the hardness of tablets between 4.3-4.5 kg/cm2. Friability of the tablets was found below 0.43-0.62 % indicating good mechanical resistance of tablets. Water absorption ratio of all formulations was found between 74.47 and 96.92 % as evidenced from water uptake study. The wetting time of all formulations was found between 13-36 sec. At the same addition level, Ac-Di-Sol and Polyplasdone XL generally disintegrate tablets faster than Primojel. It was found that the disintegration time was comparable for tablets formulated with either 2% Ac-Di-Sol, 2% Polyplasdone XL, or 4% Primojel. The dissolution of etoricoxib from these tablets varied in the following decreasing order despite the closeness of their disintegration times: Polyplasdone XL > Ac-Di-Sol > Primojel.

Keywords: Orodispersible, Superdisintegrants, Etoricoxib, Ac-Di-Sol.