Effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers and fillers on controlled release matrix tablets of acyclovir

Acyclovir was formulated as oral controlled release matrix tablets using hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers separately or in combinations. Tablets were prepared by direct compression method. The tablets were evaluated to thickness, weight variation test, drug content, hardness, friability and in vitro release studies. All the formulations showed compliance with pharmacopoeial standards. The tablets prepared with triple combination of ethyl cellulose, eudragit RSPO and eudragit RLPO failed to produce the desired controlled release. The results of dissolution studies indicated that formulation F2 was most successful of the study. The formulation F2 exhibited Anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion mechanism. Based on the results of in-vitro studies it was concluded that the hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers can be used as an effective matrix former to provide controlled release of acyclovir. SEM images of tablet after dissolution showed pore formation. No interaction between acyclovir and excipients were observed from FT-IR and DSC studies

Author(s): Ashok Kumar P. and Damodar Kumar S.

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