FORMULATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF LOVASTATIN BUCCAL TABLETS

Abstract

The present investigation is concerned with formulation and in-vitro evaluation of mucoadhesive buccal tablets containing anticholesteremic agent. Lovastatin to by-pass the first pass effect and to improve its bio availability with reduction in dosing frequency. The tablets were prepared by direct compression method. Fifteen formulations were developed with varying combinations of polymers like hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) K100M, Poly vinyl pyrrolidine (PVP) k30, Carbopol 934, Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose. The tablets were tested for weight variation, hardness, drug Content, swelling index and in-vitro drug dissolution study. FTIR studies showed no evidence on interactions between drug, polymers, and excipients. The in-vitro release of Lovastatin was performed under sink conditions (Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) PH 6.8, 37 ± 0.5ºC, rpm 50) using USP type II rotating paddle method. The best in-vitro drug release profile was achieved with the formulation F5 which contains HPMC 25 mg, CP 12.5 mg and PVP 12.5 mg. The swelling index of formulation F5 was found to be 6.56 and 78.6 respectively. The formulation F5, containing 20 mg of Lovastatin exhibited 12 h sustained drug release i.e. 98.6 % with desired therapeutic concentration.