Formulation and evaluation of fast dissolving tablets of metoclopramide hydrochloride using natural sweetening agent of stevia leaf powder.

Taste masking becomes a pre-requisite for bitter drugs to improve the patient compliance especially in the pediatric and geriatric population. Metoclopramide hydrochloride is recommended in dose of 10 to 15 mg four times a day for getting relief from nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and reflux oesophagitis. It finds application in all the categories of patients.In the present study an attempt has been made to prepare bitterless fast dissolving tablet of Metoclopramide Hydrochloride using stevia leaf powder as a taste masking agent. Direct compression was the technique used for preparing taste masked tablets.