Design and Ealuation of Hydrophilic Matrix-based Sustained Release Tablets of Alprazolam

In this study an attempt was made to design and evaluate oral sustained release matrix tablets of alprazolam using Methocel K15M CR and Methocel K4M Premium as the release rate retardant polymers. Tablets were prepared by direct compression method. Tablets were evaluated for parameters such as weight variation, hardness, friability and drug content. In vitro release studies were performed using USPtype I apparatus in 500 mL of phosphate buffer pH 6.0 at 100 rpm for 16 hours. The release kinetics was analyzed using the zero-order, first order, Higuchi, Hixson-Crowell and Korsmeyer-Peppas equations to explore and explain the mechanism of drug release from the matrix tablets. In vitro release studies revealed that percent drug release decreased with increase of polymer loading. Based on the dissolution data comparison with innovator brand all the formulations were found to similar with innovator brand. The drug release profiles of the optimized formulations were well controlled and uniform throughout the dissolution studies. were checked for stability as per ICH guidelines and formulations were found stable during the study.