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

Children attention defict hyperactivity disorder; functional impairment in the domain of school and learning among school going age

To determine the frequency of functional impairment in the domain of "school and learning" among school going age children with ADHD. Cross-sectional study. Neuropsychiatry OPD at National Institute of Child Health [NICH], Karachi. April 2012 to October 2012. A total 122 child and adolescent patients of school going age i.e. 05-15 years diagnosed as having ADHD were included in the study. A Proforma was used to denote demographic details of the patients. Impairment in the domain of "school and learning" was measured by using the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale - Parent Report [WFIRS-P]. of the total 122 patients 74% were males and 26% were females. 61% were studying in primary school whereas 28% either never went to school or had quit school. overall the domain of school and learning was impaired in about 48% of children with females' representation being slightly more [50%] compared to males [46%]. within the domain of school and learning maximum number of children were impaired in keeping up with schoolwork and needing tutoring [61%]; whereas the least frequency of impairment was observed in being suspended or expelled from school [30%]. ADHD causes functional impairment among children of school going age in the domain of school and learning

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

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 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