FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MOUTH DISSOLVING TABLETS OF OXCARBAZEPINE

Oxcarbazepine is an anticonvulsant drug, mainly used as an add-on or first line treatment in adults and children. Due to sudden onset of attack, it is necessary to formulate antiepileptics into such a delivery system, which provide immediate relief. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken with a view to develop mouth-dissolving tablets of oxcarbazepine, which offers a new range of product having desired characteristics and intended benefits. In this study, the mouth dissolving tablets were prepared using two different technologies, direct compression method and solid dispersion technology. Tablets produced by direct compression method contain crospovidone as a superdisintegrant and aspartame as a sweetener. Solid dispersions of oxcarbazepine with polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 and polyethylene glycol 6000 in different weight ratios were prepared with a view to increase its water solubility. Oxcarbazepine solid dispersions with polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 in 1:2 ratios of drug: carrier showed maximum drug release and hence, compressed along with other excipients into mouth dissolving tablet. The results compared for both the technologies showed that the oxcarbazepine tablets prepared using solid dispersion technology was found to have good technological properties and satisfying and reproducible drug dissolution profiles. Moreover the drug release was found to be comparable to the marketed dispersible tablet.