Formulation and evaluation of taste-masked levocetirizine dihydrochloride orally disintegrating tablets

Orally disintegrating tablets of levocetirizine dihydrochloride were formulated with different superdisintegrants (sodium starch glycollate, croscarmellose sodium, and crospovidone) using mannitol as a diluent. Tulsion-335, Indion-204, and poly kyron T-134 cation exchange resins were used as taste-masking agents. The drug and resin complex was prepared by the kneading method. Ten formulations were prepared with varying combinations of superdisintegrants and ion-exchange resins by the wet granulation technique, using polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 as the binder. The prepared tablets were evaluated for degree of taste masking, weight variation, hardness, friability, in vitro and in vivo disintegration time, content uniformity, and water absorption ratio. Dissolution studies were performed in two dissolution media: 0.1N HCl and distilled water. The corresponding dissolution rates were compared with the marketed formulation. Differential scanning calorimetry studies were carried out on the drug-resin complexes. Prepared tablets were good in appearance and showed acceptable results for hardness and friability. In vitro and in vivo disintegration times for the optimum formulation (F-1) were found to be 22 and 55 s, respectively. Relatively acceptable taste was achieved with both Indion-204 and Tulsion-335. Rapid disintegration time was achieved in tablets containing crosspovidone as the superdisintegrant. Dissolution studies indicated the formation of the complex of drug and resin. Differential scanning calorimetry studies indicated the formation of drug-resin complex.