Design, Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Sustained-release Tablet Formulations of Levosulpiride

Levosulpiride is a widely used gastroprokinetic agent in the treatment of various gastric disorders; however, its short half-life and increased dosage frequency leads to non-compliance and possible adverse effects. The prime objective of the current study was to develop a sustained-release formulation of Levosulpiride incorporating bioresorbable cellulose derivatives.

Sustained-release formulations of Levosulpiride were prepared through direct compression using various cellulose derivatives such as CMC sodium, HPC, and HPMC in different polymer-to-drug weight ratios as release-modifying polymers. The powder blends and compressed tablets were then subjected to pre-compressional and post-compressional evaluation, as well as FTIR analysis. In vitro release studies were performed for all formulations of the model drug in buffer solution of pH 6.8 at a wave length of 214 nm by a UV-visible light spectrophotometer.

The FTIR results confirmed that the interaction between components was physical, and from the different kinetic models data, the release profile was best expressed by the Higuchi model because the results showed high linearity. The results also showed formulation F9 to be the ideal one among the developed formulations, exhibiting sustained- release behavior.

Levosulpiride sustained-release matrices were prepared successfully using CMC sodium, HPC, and HPMC as the release-retarding polymer/carrier.