FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MUCOADHESIVE BUCCAL PATCHES OF LOSARTAN POTASSIUM

The mucoadhesive Buccal Patches of losartan potassium could be prepared using locustbean gum and HPMC K4M by direct compression method.The IR spectra revealed that, there was no interaction between polymers and drug. All polymers used were compatible with drug.All the prepared tablets were in acceptable range of weight variation, hardness, thickness, friability and drug content as per pharmacopoeial specification.The surface pH of prepared Buccal Patches was in the range of salivary pH, suggested that prepared tablets could be used without risk of mucosal irritation.All the Buccal Patches showed good residence time of 7.2 H to >10 h, indicated good adhesive capacity of polymers used.The CCD was used to find out the effect of independent varibles on the dependable variables. The result of CCD revealed that the locustbean gum and HPMC K4M have significant effect on the mucoadhesion strenth, swelling index, the drug release at 1 h and drug release at 8 h. The observed independent variables were found to be very close to predicted values of optimized formulation which demonstrates the feasibility of the optimization procedure in successful development of buccal tablet containing losartan potassium by using locustbean gum and HPMC K4M. The drug release form the optimized formula was found to be following the zero order kinetics and n value range of the Peppas equation is 0.521, which indicates fickian diffusion mechanism. Thus the release of drug from the dosage form was found to be time dependent.The stability studies revealed that there was no significant change in buccal tablet properties with aging at different storage conditions.Hence, the mucoadhesive Buccal Patches  of losartan potassium can be prepared with enhanced bioavailability and prolonged therapeutic effect for the better management of hyper tension.

Keywords: Losartan potassium, Buccal patches, Mucoadhesive, Formulation, Evaluation