Abstract

PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MATRIX TABLETS OF ATENOLOL HYDROCHLORIDE

Rana Shabnam* and Dr. Gupta Rajesh

ABSTRACT

In this study an attempt was made to formulate and evaluate sustained release matrix tablets of Atenolol hydrochloride as a model drug. The main objective of formulating matrix tablets was to achieve sustained release of Atenolol for long period of time so as to maintain the plasma drug concentration constant for the whole day. It also helps in decreasing the dosing frequency by which the patient compliance increases. Atenolol HCl had a very short half life of only 4-5 h. Drugs with short half life cannot maintain the plasma drug concentration at the therapeutic levels for a longer period of time, so as to decrease the dosing frequency and increase the patient compliance sustained release matrix tablets were designed. In the preformulation studies, Atenolol HCl was characterized by its physiochemical properties such as melting point, solubility, UV, FTIR and DSC studies. During the formulation of tablets both pre compression studies and post compression studies were carried out. In case of pre compression studies, granules were prepared by wet granulation method. In this process, the drug was blended with the polymers i.e. HPMC K100, Guar gum, Xanthan gum and Karaya gum. After drying, these granules were evaluated for their mass volume relationship and flow properties. The results of bulk density, tapped density, Hausner’s ratio, compressibility index and angle of repose indicated good compressibility and flow characteristics of the formulated mixed blends. After the compression, the formulated tablets were evaluated for different physical and chemical tests. The tablets were evaluated for colour, odour, taste, size, shape and texture. Quality parameters were calculated then (diameter, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration time, swelling index and dissolution profile). Out of the twelve prepared formulations using different concentration of polymers, the formulation containing drug, xanthan gum and HPMC K100 (in the ratio 1:10:10) had shown the best results. The optimized formulation was selected for stability studies at 40±2 ºC and 75±5% RH for two months. No significant change in physical properties, drug content and drug release of the tablets were observed. So it was concluded that selected formulation was found to be stable.

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