Formulation, modification and evaluation of fast dissolving tablet of irbesartan for hypertension management

To prepare fast dissolving tablet of Irbesartan an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB), direct compression method was utilised, and it comprised several steps. The main focus was to improve the disintergation time as well as the dissolution rate of the drug as it comes into contact with water. Lactose and Microcrystalline sodium (MCC) were used as diluents and fillers, Aspartame and Magnesium Stearate were used as lubricants, Crospovidone, Croscarmellose sodium (CCS), Sodium Starch Glycolate (SSG) were used as superdisintergrants as they increase the hydraulic pressure when the come into contact with water. The post compression properties of the tablet; disintergration time, wetting time and the drug release profile of the prepared table were investigated. The drug release of the prepared formulation was compared to the marketed formulation. 5 formulations were prepared using different ratios of the excipients and the optimized formulations were subjected to characterization. Hardness of the tablet was controlled by compression during the manufacturing process. Following FTIR studies, it was found that there were no interaction between the drug and the excipients and that the drug release depended on the type of the excipients used in the formulation. Direct compression was found to be a suitable, easy and efficient technique for designing fast dissolving tablet (FDT) for oral use.