Impact of different organic acids on solubility enhancement of cefpodxime proxetil immediate release tablet and its stability studies

Cefpodoxime proxetil is a third generation cephalosporin antibiotic demonstrates pH dependent solubility and is highly soluble only in acidic pH. The purpose of this investigation was to design and develop immediate release tablets of cefpodoxime proxetil by direct compression method and determine the effect of different solid buffers [organic acids] such as fumaric acid [formulations F1-F4], maleic acid [formulations M1-M4] and citric acid [formulations C1- C4] by using cefpodoxime and acid in the ratios of 4:1, 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2 to achieve pH-independent release of the drug. Physical parameters and assay were found to be within the acceptable range as prescribed in USP 36 / NF 31. In vitro dissolution studies of each formulation were performed in distilled water, USP dissolution medium, HCl buffer solution of pH 1.2, phosphate buffer solutions of pH 4.5 and 6.8 to observe the drug release. The formulations F3, F4, M4 were selected for film coating on the basis of better drug release profile, to protect the drug from chemical degradation through hydrolysis. Film coated formulation F3, F4 and M4 showed a remarkable in vitro release of the drug [72.88+/-0.43 to 92.67+/-0.71%] within 30min of observation in all dissolution media and further evaluated by model independent and model dependent approaches. The drug release was found to be best fit to Weibull model as highest r[2] [adjusted] [0.924- 0.998] and lowest AIC [18.416-54.710] values were obtained in all dissolution media. R Gui[registered sign] applied for stability studies of F3 and F4 formulations, showing shelf lives of 28 and 27months at ambient and 33 months at accelerated temperatures. Formulation F4 was chosen as best formulation on the basis of physical properties, highest dissolution rate and stability studies

Formulation and Dissolution enhancement of Meloxicam tablets using Polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer and Povidone in combination

Meloxicam is a poor water soluble drug mostly prescribed in various rheumatic diseases. The present research study was design to formulate and increase the solubility of meloxicam in the tablet dosage form. A 32 full factorial design was employed to optimize meloxicam formulations. Polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer [PVCL-PVA-PEG graft copolymer] and Povidone were taken as independent variables while cumulative drug release at 90 minutes was selected as dependent variable. All trial formulations complied with official standards. Multiple regression by Microsoft Excel on cumulative drug release of the selected formulations [F1, F2, F6- F9] showed the positive effect of PVCL-PVA-PEG graft copolymer [[alpha] = 0.05] and a negative effect of Povidone [[alpha] = 0.05]. Formulation six [F6] [PVCL-PVA-PEG graft copolymer 3 mg and Povidone 22.5 mg / tablet] was considered as the optimal formulation based on its cumulative drug release. Dissolution kinetics by model dependent analysis predicted Weibull [R[2]=0.99] as the best fit model in describing meloxicam dissolution kinetics. The role of PVCL-PVA-PEG graft copolymer should be explored with other solubilizers in future studies

Perception and attitude of pharmacy students towards learning tools

Use of technology in education has increased worldwide. Teaching methodologies are shifting from traditional classroom lectures to e-learning and computer-based learning. Pakistani students are also now fathoming necessity of acquiring tools for strengthening their knowledge and skills. The objective of present study was to analyze the shifting trends [perception and attitudes] of Pakistani Pharmacy students towards learning tools. A survey based study conducted on 296 students from various years of Pharmacy, studying in a state owned university, Karachi, Pakistan. This study was initially piloted and Cronbach's-alpha was computed for evaluation of internal consistency of questionnaire [for perception; 0.660, for attitude; 0.777 respectively]. Data was computed by SPSS, version 16 [Crosstab] and Chisquare [P=0.05]. Most of the students strongly agreed [53%; [CHI][2]=495;P<0.05] that introducing technology will improve learning; books are reliable reading source [53%; [CHI][2]=437.23;P<0.05] or book-reading is essential [50%; [CHI][2]=360.36;P<0.05] while others disagreed that they only study from class lectures [31%; [CHI][2]=17.22;P<0.05]; not take classes [41%; [CHI][2]=48.21;P<0.05]; have used software [44%; [CHI][2]=46.54; P<0.05]. Majority of the students agreed on incorporating technology to improve learning. Other factors such as unavailability and expenditure of books influenced their ability to learn. This study might assist policy makers in developing policies that could improve learning

Formulation and stability evaluation of immediate release antioxidant tablet

Oxidative stress plays an important part in the development of human diseases. Pharmaceutical strategies are required to be work out in order to fight against such oxidative damages. Designing of new formulations that can protect human beings from the undesirable effects, consequence of oxidative stress, the crucial cellular and molecular processes, along with recurring oxidative damage and diseases is to be expedited

The main objective of present work was to design a rapidly releasing synthetic antioxidant tablet dosage form comprising of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc in combination with lecithin [a phospho-lipid] that can fulfill human health and nutritional requirement and to perform stability studies. Beside active ingredients, the excipients used in present formulation were; Avicel pH 102, starch pregelatinized, silicon dioxide colloidal and polyethylene glycol 8000 milled magnesium stearate, acid stearic fine powder and aq.opa dry coating material

The immediate release formulation of antioxidant was prepared by wet granulation method

Three different trials were developed. Vitamin C was selected as tracer for detection and evaluation of tablet dosage form. When the resulting formulation was evaluated by USP 24 / NF 19, 2000 guidelines and later by stability studies, it was found that their quality can be maintained over a storage period of 24 months

Physico-chemical comparison of famotidine tablets prepared via dry granulation and direct compression techniques

Famotidine is generally employed for the treatment of gastric ulcer. The present study was conducted to fabricate famotidine tablets using various diluents. The binder was incorporated to the formulations in different proportions. Both the dry granulation and direct compression techniques were employed to develop the tablets. Physical evaluation of tablets i.e. tablets hardness, friability, weight variation, thickness and diameter was determined. In vitro dissolution studies of the prepared tablets were carried out for 60 min using the USP apparatus II and 900 ml 0.1 M HCl stirred at 37 +/- 0.5[degree sign] C with a speed of 50 rpm. Physical analysis of tablets prepared via direct compression showed satisfactory results regarding the weight variation, hardness and friability, since their respective values were within the BP limits. All the prepared famotidine tablets exhibited diffusion based mode of drug release. 100% release of drug occurred in less than 60 min. The drug release from all the formulated tablets has elaborated the involvement of diffusion [Higuchian drug release]. This comparative study exhibited that physical parameters of tablets are affected by the technique of tabletting

Studies on antibacterial activity of some traditional medicinal plants used in folk medicine

Ethanolic extracts of eight medicinal plants commonly used in folk medicine were tested for their antibacterial activity against four Gram positive strains [Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and, Streptococcus pneumoniae] and six Gram negative strains [Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis. Salmonella typhi para A, Salmonella typhi para B and Shigella dysenteriae] that were obtained from different pathological laboratories located in Karachi, Pakistan. Disc diffusion method was used to analyze antibacterial activity. Out of eight, five medicinal plants showed antibacterial activity against two or more than two microbial species. The most effective antimicrobial plant found to be Punica granatum followed by Curcuma zedoaria Rosc, Grewia asiatica L and Carissa carandas L, Curcuma caesia Roxb respectively. From these results, it is evident that medicinal plants could be used as a potential source of new antibacterial agents

Antimicrobial activity of erythromycin and clarithromycin against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, klebsiella and proteus by disc diffusion method

Fifty clinical isolates comprising of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella and Proteus were collected from different local pathological laboratories and their resistant pattern against two well known macrolides; erythromycin and clarithromycin were studied using disc diffusion method. Klebsiella [41.67% against erythromycin and 58.34% against clarithromycin] and Proteus [66.67% against erythromycin and clarithromycin] species were found to be more resistant against the studied macrolides as compared to the rest of organisms. In case of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia.coli, resistant found were 27.78% and 23.54% against erythromycin and 22.23% and 35.30% against clarithromycin respectively. It is concluded from these figures that microbial resistance against these macrolides are increasing in our population which is alarming and therefore it is recommended to physicians to prescribe these antibiotics unless no other substitute is available in clinical practices

Formulation of aspirin tablets using fewer excipients by direct compression

The objective of the present study was to formulate aspirin tablets by direct compression method using fewer excipients and to compare this formulation with the other brands. Design formulation besides aspirin contained excipients that comprises of lactose, corn starch and aerosol. The blend was compressed on a single punch machine, tablets were subjected to various tests [uniformity of weights, diameter and thickness, hardness, disintegration, dissolution and assay of the drug] and the results were compared with some of the available brands. The studied formulation showed close resemblance with the available marketed brands and were also in compliance with the official specifications. Using the present approach, further studies should be designed using other actives and excipients to get a cost effective product

Studies of food drug interactions

Medicines can treat and alleviate many diseases provided that they must be taken properly to ensure that they are safe and useful. One issue related with the medicines is that whether to take on empty stomach or with food. The present work gives information regarding food-drug interactions that were studied by collecting seventy five prescriptions from various hospitals. In most of the collected prescriptions, food-drug interactions were detected using the literature available. It was also found that only few studies have been carried out so far on the effect of food on drug disposition in the Asian population. Thus more studies on food-drug interactions particularly in the local population is recommended in order to determine the effect of food and food components on drug disposition and to the kinetics of the drugs which has not yet well highlighted in this part of the world

Bioequivalence studies of two brands of meloxicam tablets in healthy Pakistani volunteers

The pharmacokinetic parameters of two oral formulations of meloxicam tablets were compared in a randomized, single oral dose; two treatments cross over design in 12 healthy male volunteers belonging to Pakistan under fasting conditions. After an overnight fast, the volunteers received 30 mg meloxicam and the blood samples were collected up to 96 hours and drug concentrations were determined by a validated HPLC method. Various pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from the plasma concentration-time curves of both formulations. The 90% confidence intervals obtained by analysis of variance were 87-94% for Cmax and 88-97% for AUC0-t, that fell well within the acceptance range of 80-125%. Also, no significant difference [beta = 0.05, Wilcoxon Signed rank test] were detected between Tmax of both formulations. The two formulations were well tolerated and no adverse effect was reported during the study

Swine flu: are we the next victims?

Current pandemic influenza due to A [S-OIV A] [H1N1] virus is becoming more threatening day by day throughout the world. It is the time to provide relevant information to the masses regarding this destructing threat to the health of public. The objective of the present paper is to update the current status of swine flu and to provide information to general public, clinicians and other health professionals about H1N1

Studies on the quantification and comparison of dissolution profiles of two brands of meloxicam tablets

A simple model independent approach using a similarity factor [f2] and a difference factor [f1] to compare dissolution profiles as proposed by Moore and Flanner was used to evaluate the in vitro equivalence of two brands of meloxicam tablets. Our results showed that the two meloxicam formulations are not equivalent in vitro. Thus it is recommended that the same formulations should be evaluated to in vivo studies in order to find whether a co-relation exists between in vitro dissolution and in vivo bioavailability

Studies on the effects of cyclodextrin polymer as a tableting aid on some selected analgesics

The clinical effectiveness of tablets depends on at least two factors; [i] the medication must be present in labeled amount [ii] it must be availble to the body. The drug availability is usually determined by the rate of release of drug from the tablet, which is governed by the processes of disintegration and dissolution. In present study, the effect of beta-Cyclodextrin on disintegration and rate of dissolution of analgesic tablets [paracetamol] have been studied. The results show that the tablets containing beta-Cyclodextrin polymer as a disintegrant enhances the rate of dissolution and reduces the disintegration time as compared to the commercially available tablets which lack beta-Cyclodextrin

Screening of antibacterial activity of different brands of co-trimoxazole paediatric suspension available in the local market

Sulfonamides are the drug of choice for number of infections like pneumonia, toxoplasmosis, nocardiosis, urinary tract infections. Sulfonamides are most commonly used in combinations such as [Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole] [TMP+SMZ] or co-trimoxazole. Sixty five isolates belonging to five different species, E. coli [22], S. aureus [18], Klebsiella [05], Pseudomonas [16] and Proteus [04] were used for screening antibacterial activity against different brands [A-G] of Co-trimoxazole by disc diffusion method. Brand G exhibited highest activity against E. coli with mean zone of inhibition 41mm +/-2.3 standard deviation. The antibacterial activity against other species S. aureus, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas were found as: [mean +/- standard deviation] observed as 39.73 mm +/- 10.59 mm +/- 38 mm +/- 2 and 24.93 mm +/- 5.32. However all isolates of Proteus were found resistant against different brands of co-trimoxazole

Antibacterial studies of sulfacetamide ophthalmic solutions and suspensions

During present study sulfacetamide alone as well as its combination were evaluatedagainst clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.For this purpose fifty clinical isolates of these organisms were collected from differentpathological laboratories and antibacterial activity was carried out using ophthalmicsolutions and suspensions.40% clinical isolates of Escherichia coli were found to be sensitive to four brands ofophthalmic solutions, 56% isolates showed sensitivity against one brand where as 4%isolates were resistant to all preparations.When sulfacetamide was used in combination. 20% clinical isolates of Escherichia coliwere completely sensitive to different brands used while 80% isolates were found to beresistant to all the brands.Antibacterial activity of sulfacetamide alone indicated that 92% clinical isolates ofStaphylococcus aureus were sensitive to all the brands used and only 8% isolates wereresistant.Sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus against different combinations of sulfacetamideindicated that 68% isolates were sensitive to all brands while only 32% were resistant todifferent combinations

Influence of hydro carbon chain length on critical micella concentration of various surfactants

Critical Micelle Concentration [CMCs] of various surfactants [cationic, anionic and non - ionic] have been determined in carbonate - bicarbonate buffer at 35