Formulation and evaluation of controlled-release matrix systems of ciprofloxacin.

Background: Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibacterial drug to which most Gram-negative and many Gram-positive bacteria are highly susceptible. Fluoroquinolones are administered repeatedly, twice a day for 5 days, during the course of therapy. Hence, they require repeated administration. Ciprofloxacin qualifies as a drug candidate for a controlled-release drug delivery system.

Objectives: The present work was aimed to develop ciprofloxacin hydrochloride-containing matrix tablets by the wet granulation method.

Material and methods: The tablets were prepared using EthocelTM 100 Premium and Eudragit® RS PO (Evonik Laboratory, Mumbai, India) as a rate-controlling polymer. Granular dioctyl phthalate (DCP) was used as a diluent. An isopropyl alcohol and dichloromethane (1:1) mixture was used as a granulating agent. The effect of the formulation variables on tablet performance was examined based on weight variation, hardness, friability, thickness, and drug release profiles. The results suggested that the tablets had good integrity.

Results: The tablets were stable for 18 months. Formulation F7 gave a linear release pattern up to 12 h. The release of ciprofloxacin from formulation F7 followed zero-order kinetics. The release mechanism was found to be diffusion-controlled as the Higuchi equation was obeyed.

Conclusions: Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride-containing matrix tablets were prepared successfully. The tablets had good integrity and were found stable for 18 months.