Development and evaluation of advanced oral drug-delivery systems of etoricoxib with a focus on mouth-dissolving tablets (MDTs)

Abstract

Mouth dissolving tablets have received ever-increasing demand during the last decade, particularly the Mouth dissolving tablets drug delivery systems formulated with natural polymers have more demand because natural materials are easily available, easy to administer, non-toxic and non-irritant nature etc. The main aim of the present study is to formulate Etoricoxib mouth dissolving tablets. Etoricoxib is a selective COX-II inhibitor which acts by inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme and decreases the incidences of side effects associated with these agents. Conventional tablets of Etoricoxib are not capable of rapid action, which is required for faster drug effect onset and immediate relief from pain. Etoricoxib MDT’s are prepared by direct compression method using different synthetic superdisintegrants like Crospovidone, Croscarmellose sodium and Sodium starch glycolate and using natural superdisintegrants mango pectin powder, Guar Gum and Aloe vera mucilage. Powder mixture formulated was assessed for different rheological properties by using standard procedures. The tablets were prepared by direct compression methods and  characterized for different parameters such as weight variation, hardness, friability, wetting time, water absorption ratio, drug content, disintegration time and drug release. The mouth dissolving tablets made from natural disintegrants was found superior over a mouth dissolving tablets made from a synthetic polymer.

Keywords: Mouth dissolving tablets, Etoricoxib, synthetic superdisintegrants and natural disintegrants.