EFFECT OF MUCOADHESIVE POLYMERS ON THE EFFICACY OF ORAL CIPROFLOXACIN HCl TABLETS

Drugs that have a narrow absorption window in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) will have poor absorption. For these drugs, extending the residence time of a dosage form at a particular site and controlling the release of drug from the dosage form are useful especially for achieving controlled plasma level of the drug as well as improving bioavailability. The objective of this study was to extend the gastric residence time after oral administration and control the release of ciprofloxacin using mucoadhesive tablets. Direct compression method was employed using mucoadhesive polymers namely Carbopol 934, HPMC K4M, HPMC K15M and Tragacanth to prepare several formulations. Moreover, these formulations were subjected to different evaluation studies including content uniformity, surface pH, hardness, friability, tablet dimension, swelling index, mucoadhesive force measurement and in vitro drug release. The release mechanism of Ciprofloxacin HCl from the matrix tablets indicated super case-II transport mechanism and followed the Higuchi kinetic model. The studies performed on stability showed that there was no change.