FORMULAT ION AND EVALUATION OF DIRECTLY COMPRESSED OFLOXACIN - ETHOCEL CONTROLLED RELEASE TABLETS: A KINETIC APPROACH

In this study, Controlled releas e matrix tablets of Ofloxacin - Ethocel at different drug to polymer ratios were prepared by direct compression method. Main focus of this investigative study was the release patterns and release rates of drug from the matrix tablets, the influence of severa l co - excipients (CMC, HPMC and Starch) on the drug release rates and the mechanism involved. Different grades of Ethocel were used in this study including (7P, 7FP, 10P, 10FP, 100P and 100FP). In vitro dissolution studies in phosphate buffer PH 7.4 showed the prolonged release of drug from the formulations containing Ethocel Premium and FP polymers, but most prominently prolonged release was from the formulations containing FP Premium polymers of Ethocel. All the co - excipients used in Ofloxacin - Ethocel CR t ablets enhanced the release rate of Ofloxacin from the matrix tablets but the most rapid release of drug from the tablets was found in the formulations having CMC as co - excipient. The co - excipients enhanced the release rate in the order of CMC > HPMC > Sta rch. Dissimilarity factor f 1 and similarity factor f 2 were applied to the formulations for the checking of dissimilarities and similarities between the release profiles of drug from the test and the reference standard formulation.