Journal of General Practice

Formulation and Evaluation of Acyclovir Orodispersible Tablets Using Sublimation Method

Abstract

Srilatha Malvey, Naresh Kshirasagar, Yamsani Vamshi Vishnu and J Srikanth

Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) is common among all age groups, especially for geriatric and paediatric patients. Oral dispersible tablets (ODT) constitute an innovative dosage form that overcome the problems of swallowing and provides a quick onset of action. The aim of the present research was to prepare oral dispersible tablets by sublimation method. The technique is to increase the porosity of the tablet whereby subliming material was sublimed from the tablets by exposing the tablets to vacuum and to investigate the effects of super disintergrants (Kollidon & Ac-Di-Sol). Acyclovir is an antiviral drug used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV), mainly HSV-1 and HSV-2 and varicella zoster virus. It is a BCS class III drug. Hence an orally disintegrating tablet formulation of acyclovir was prepared by direct compression,which was taken as the model drug for the study.The drug and finalized formulation were characterized using FTIR studies revelled that there is no interaction between drug and excipients. The powder blend was examined for angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index and Hausner’s ratio and prepared tablets were evaluated for general appearance, content uniformity, hardness, friability, wetting time, In-vitro disintegration and dissolution studies were found to be acceptable according to standard limits, In-vitro release studies were performed using USP apparatus-II (paddle method) in 500 ml of distilled water at 50rpm. The highest drug dissolved was obtained from SF4 (100.2%). Tablet with 5% of camphor 5% Crospovidone 4% Croscarmellose sodium shows quick dissolution, disintegration, and good dispersion pattern. It is concluded that Oral disintegrating acyclovir tablets could be prepared by direct compression using sublimation method.