Formulation and Evaluation of Sintered Floating Tablets of Cefpodoxime Proxetil

INTRODUCTION: Aim of the study is to develop sintered floating tablets of Cefpodoxime proxetil using locust bean gum as release controlling material. Cefpodoxime proxetil [CP] is an orally administered, extended spectrum, semi-synthetic antibiotic of cephalosporin class.
METHODS: CP has short elimination half-life, possesses high solubility, chemical, enzymatic stability and absorption profiles in acidic pH, makes it suitable candidate for formulating it as gastro retentive dosage form for improved bioavailability. Camphor was used to get the desired floating properties. The prepared Cefpodoxime proxetil floating tablets were subjected to sintering technique, where the cross linkage within the polymeric structure was increased by exposing tablets to acetone vapors. Advantage with sintering is that prolong drug release can be attained at low hardness and low concentrations of polymers.
RESULTS: The prepared tablets were evaluated and found to have acceptable physicochemical properties. Formulation S2 containing locust bean gum: drug [0.3: 1.0] and camphor [10% w/w], which was exposed to acetone vapors for a period of 6 hrs has shown optimum floating properties and better dissolution profile i.e. 97.3% in 12 hrs. Hence, S2 formulation was considered as optimized formulation. The in vitro release data of optimized formulation was treated with mathematical equations and was concluded that drug release followed zero order kinetics [0.9599] with anomalous transport mechanism [0.5331].
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it can be concluded that sintered floating matrix tablets of Cefpodoxime proxetil containing locust bean provides a better choice for controlled release.