ABSTRACT
In the present study, novel co-processed superdisintegrants were developed by solvent evaporation
method using crospovidone and sodium starch glycolate in different ratios (1:1, 1:2 & 1:3) for use in the fast
dissolving tablet formulations. The developed excipients were evaluated for angle of repose, Carr’s index and
Hausner’s ratio in comparison with physical mixture of superdisintegrants. The angle of repose of the
developed excipients was found to be < 25o
, Carr’s index in the range of 10-15% and Hausner’s ratio in the
range of 1.13-1.16. Fast dissolving tablets of metoclopramide hydrochloride were prepared using the above coprocessed
superdisintegrants and evaluated for pre-compression and post-compression parameters. Based on in
vitro dispersion time (approximately 19 sec), promising formulation CP1 was tested for in vitro drug release
pattern in pH 6.8 Phosphate buffer, short-term stability (at 400C/75% RH for 3 months) and drug excipient
interaction (IR spectroscopy). Among the designed formulations, the formulation (CP1) containing 4% w/w of
co-processed superdisintegrant (1:1 mixture of crospovidone and sodium starch glycolate) emerged as the
overall best formulation (t50% 1.30 min) based on drug release characteristics in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer
compared to commercial conventional tablet formulation (t50% 6 min). Short-term stability studies on promising
formulation indicated that there were no significant changes in drug content and in vitro dispersion time
(p