ABSTRACT:
The aim of the current study was to design mouth dissolving tablets of loratadine and to optimize the drug dissolution profile by modifying the carrier concentration. Solid dispersions traditionally have been used as effective methods to improve the dissolution properties and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. The present study was to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of a poorly water-soluble drug, loratadine, by a solid dispersion technique. Solid dispersions were prepared using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) and polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) in different drug-to-carrier ratios by solvent evaporation method. These new formulations were characterized in the liquid state by solubility studies and in the solid state by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FTIR spectroscopy. The aqueous solubility of loratadine was favored by the presence of both polymers. In contrast to the very slow dissolution rate of pure loratadine, the dispersion of the drug in the polymers considerably enhanced the dissolution rate. Solid dispersion prepared with PEG showed the most improvement in wettability and dissolution rate of loratadine. Mouth dissolving tablets prepared of loratadine solid dispersion were using superdisintegrants like crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate and cross carmellose sodium by direct compression method. The prepared tablets were evaluated for uniformity of weight, tensile strength, content uniformity, hardness, friability, wetting time, and in vitro dispersion time.