Formulation, development, and performance evaluation of metoclopramide HCl oro-dispersible sustained release tablet

The present study was undertaken to develop and evaluate an oro-dispersible, sustained release tablet of metoclopramide HCl. The technology was comprised of developing sustained release microparticles, and compression of resultant microspheres into a fast dispersible tablet by direct compression. The microspheres of metoclopramide HCl were prepared by an emulsification-solvent evaporation method using ethylcellulose as the matrix polymer. The prepared microspheres were evaluated for morphology, particle size, entrapment efficiency, and in vitro drug release characteristics. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated spherical particles with a mean diameter of 81.27 ± 5.87 μm and the drug encapsulation efficiency was found to be 70.15 ± 3.06%. The process and formulation variables such as rotation speed, polymer concentration, and drug concentration influenced the drug encapsulation efficiency and in vitro drug release. Optimized microspheres were compressed into tablets which were comprised of metoclopramide HCl microspheres, 53% (w/v) of D-mannitol granules, 7% (w/w) of Polyplasdone XL 10, and 0.5% (w/w) of calcium stearate. The tablets demonstrated a hardness of 59 ± 3 N, friability of 0.21% and disintegration time of 27 ± 3 sec. The formulations were subjected to stability studies as per ICH guidelines and were found to be stable after a 6 month study. In vivo experiments conducted in rats demonstrated that a constant level of metoclopramide HCl in plasma could be maintained for up to 20 h at a suitable concentration for antiemetic activity. An appropriate combination of excipients made it possible to obtain orally disintegrating sustained release tablets of metoclopramide HCl using simple and conventional techniques.