Formulation and in Vitro Evaluation of Valsartan Flash Tablet

Abstract

Mohammed Sattar, Malathe A. Alshawi, Mazin Nadhim Mosa

Introduction: Flash tablet is one of the newer technologies that recently have been focused on flash tablet offers many advantages such as fast disintegration and dissolution. However, it has many issues and drawbacks such as fragility of the final tablet and difficult manufacturing process. In this work valsartan (the antihypertensive medication) was fabricated as lyophilized tablets to improve its dissolution profile and bring about all the advantages of this drug delivery system, such as rapid disintegration.
Materials and Methods: Mannitol, hydroxylpropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC 5E) and tween 80 were used as matrix, binder, and dissolution enhancer; respectively. The effect of their concentrations on physiochemical properties were evaluated in vitro by conducting mechanical strength test, content uniformity, weight variation test, and the dissolution profile.
Results: The hardness and friability have shown using HPMC 5E at concentration 5% will yield a better mechanical property and the best disintegration time. Dissolution profile have shown that using tween 80 at concentration 1% would improve valsartan dissolution significantly.
Conclusion: Valsartan flash tablet offers a good alternative to plain tablet with acceptable pharmaceutical properties.