Development of Mucoadhesive Sustained Release Matrix Tablets of Methimazole for Oral Delivery

The aim of the present investigation was to develop sustained release matrix tablets containing methimazole. The different batches were manufactured by direct compression method using hydrophilic swellable carbopol and ethocel and eudragit RL100 in combination using Minipress and characterized by FTIR, DSC, in vitro mucoadhesion, in vitro swelling, erosion and in vitro drug release and stability studies. It was found that, the formulation batch MT 6 has a mucoadhesion force about 14.813 ± 0.085 N. It has exhibited the adhesion retention time about 11.16 ± 0.10 h in the entire region of GIT with maximum swelling up to 59.52 ± 4.93 %. It is revealed that drug release by both mechanism diffusion and erosion. Carbopol 934P along with Eudragit RL100 and ethyl cellulose was found to be controlling the release rate of methimazole in matrix tablets for 20 h. It can be concluded that, there is promising potential for this system that can control the release up to 20 h and extend the drug release.