IDENTIFICATION OF KEY VARIABLES AFFECTIN G DRUG RELEASE FROM LIPID MATRIX IN HYDROALCOHOLIC DISSOLUTION MEDIUM CONTAININ G HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE

The present research work was undertaken to formulate modified release tablets of lornoxicam using Compritol 888 ATO as a lipid matrixing agent and to evaluate the tablets for dissolution in hydro-alcoholic dissolution media to meet the requirement of regulators. The dissolution study was also conducted in aqueous medium containing alcohol and hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose to mimic the viscosity and pH after food and alcohol intake. The tablets were prepared by direct compression by adopting the concept of design of experiments and evaluated mainly for dissolution studies in aqueous dissolution media containing 10, 25 and 40% ethyl alcohol. The formulated tablets satisfied the USP requirements of drug release at 2, 6 and 10 hr. The drug release was insignificantly altered when the dissolution study was conducted in media containing increasing amount of alcohol probably due to higher solubility of the drug in alcohol. The drug release was suppressed when HPMC was used in the dissolution media. This may be due to rise in viscosity of the dissolution media. Dose dumping was not noticed under the experimental conditions.