Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NIFEDIPINE LIPID SEMISOLID MATRIX SYSTEM FILLED IN HARD GELATIN CAPSULES

Shweta Pawar*

ABSTRACT

The objective of present study was to increase the aqueous solubility of poorly soluble nifedipine by inclusion complexation and further to achieve the sustained release. Sustained release was achieved using a relatively new concept of semisolid matrix formulations by liquid filling technology in hard gelatin capsule in which the carriers are melted at elevated temperatures, the drugs are dissolved in molten carriers and the hot solutions are then filled in capsules. Sustained release formulation of nifedipine helps in reducing the dosing frequency of nifedipine. Nifedipine and β- cyclodextrin inclusion complex was prepared by kneading method. The semisolid matrix of nifedepine was prepared using Glyceryl Palmitostearate (compritol 888ATO) and Glyceryl Behenate (precirol ATO5) in varying concentrations and filled with syringe in hard gelatin capsule. Formulations were evaluated for solubility, moisture uptake, percent yield, in vitro drug release studies. The optimized formulation showed precirol ATO5 zero order release kinetics followed by Korsenmeyers Peppas model. This technology can make a significantcontribution to the development of efficacious pharmaceutical products by providing the flexibility to rapidly develop and test in - house formulation.

Keywords: Nifedipine, Sustained release, Liquid filling technology, Compritol 888ATO, Precirol ATO5.