DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING TABLETS OF PIOGLITA

Abstract

Floating tablets of pioglitazone were formulated employing (i) olibanum (a natural gum resin) (ii) PGS-Cellulose coprocessed
polymer (a new modified starch) and (iii) HPMCK15M (a synthetic polymer) with an objective of evaluating them as
matrix formers in the design of floating tablets of pioglitazone. Floating tablets of pioglitazone were designed employing the
above mentioned three polymers as matrix formers, sodium bicarbonate as gas generating agent and bees wax and ethyl cellulose
as floating enhancers and the tablets were evaluated for floating and drug release characteristics. Floating tablets formulated
employing (i) olibanum (a natural gum resin), (ii) PGS-Cellulose co-processed polymer (a new modified starch) and (iii)
HPMCK15M (a synthetic polymer) as matrix formers and sodium bicarbonate as gas generating agent, beeswax and ethyl
cellulose as floating enhancers (PF7, PF8, PF9) exhibited a floating time of more than 22 hours after a floating lag time in the
range 1– 4 min. These floating tablets also provided slow and complete release of pioglitazone over 12 hours. Release was
diffusion controlled and followed zero order kinetics. Non – Fickian diffusion was the release mechanism from all the floating
tablets formulated. As such these tablets (PF7, PF8, PF9) are considered as good floating tablets for controlled release of
pioglitazone. Olibanum and PGS-Cellulose co-processed polymer are suitable as matrix formers for floating tablets and are
comparable to HPMC K15M, a widely used polymer for floating tablets and for controlled release.