Development of indomethacin sustained release tablet using cellulose derivatives as a matrix system

Abstract

Indomethacin sustained release tablets containing various concentrations of hydrophilic {methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP)} and/or hydrophobic {ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP)} cellulose derivatives were prepared by means of wet granulation. Dissolution studies revealed that the effects of concentration of polymer on the release pattern occurred when using hydrophilic celluloses only. The amount of indomethacin released increased with the content of hydrophilic celluloses. Unconstant drug release was s observed. For hydrophobic celluloses, concentration-time profiles with a maximum drug release of 20% were found from both EC and HPMCP matrices. Formulation containing 10% of HPMC and 1% of HPMCP produced tablet of linear release profile as well as complete drug release for 12 hours. The mechanism of drug released was diffusion.