Design, In Vitro Evaluation and Release Rate Kinetics of Matrix Type Sustained Release Tablet Containing Aceclofenac

Enteric coated aceclofenac matrix tablets were formulated as sustained release tablets employing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose polymer and the sustained release behavior of the fabricated tablets were investigated. Sustained release matrix tablets containing 200 mg aceclofenac were developed using different drug polymer ratios of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Tablets were prepared by wet granulation technique. Formulation was optimized on the basis of acceptable tablet properties and in vitro drug release. The resulting formulations produced monolithic tablets with optimum hardness, uniform thickness, consistent weight uniformity and low friability. Aceclofenac release from tablets was extended from 16 to 24 h from formulated batches. The results of dissolution studies indicated that formulation F-V (drug to polymer 1:0.470), the most successful of the study, exhibited drug release pattern very close to theoretical release profile. Applying kinetic equation models to F-V batch it was found to be followed Higuchi model, as the plots showed high linearity, with correlation coefficient (R) value 0.9911.Therefore, the formulation F-V tablets showed diffusion dominated drug release. The accelerated stability study showed that the shelf life 40 months (batch F-V) and promising drug storage results.