Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Dispersible Tablets: A Taste Masking Strategy using Ion Exchange Resin

The pediatric population is more sensitive to allergies. Fexofenadine hydrochloride (FXD-HCL), a non-sedative antihistaminic drug, was chosen to create taste-masked patient-compliant pediatric dispersible tablets. Due to its bitter taste, fexofenadine hydrochloride is unsuitable for the formulation of dispersible tablets; therefore, Kyron T-134®, cation exchange resin was used to form a taste-masked complex with the drug to overcome its bitterness. The FXD HCL-resin complex was prepared using a kneading method and the complexation was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and FTIR studies. The FXD HCL-resin complex was evaluated for flow properties, degree of bitterness, assay and release study. Dispersible tablets were formulated by using a co-processed excipient, Granfiller-D211® containing croscarmellose sodium and crosspovidone, microcrystalline cellulose and mannitol. 22 factorial designs with two replicates optimized the dispersible tablets. The tablets, prepared using the direct compression technique on a single-stroke tablet compression machine, were elegant in appearance. Various pre and post-compression tests were conducted on all formulations. The tablets of hardness 3.5 kg/cm2 showed friability, disintegration time, assay within the compendial limit and showed immediate release of a drug (NLT 60% in 10 min and NLT 80% in 30 minutes) in 0.001 N HCl (pH 3). The DSC thermogram indicated partial amorphization of the FXD HCL. Dispersible tablets of fexofenadine hydrochloride and Granfiller-D®211 at 1:4 proportion was stable for one month at ambient and accelerated storage conditions.