Design and Evaluation of Gastro-Retentive Floating Tablets of Ibandronic acid.

The objective of this study is Preparation and evaluation of gastro-retentive floating tablets of Ibandronic acid by direct compression method polymers or combination. In this study, Ibandronic acid, the most commonly used biphosphonate for treating osteoporosis, was formulated as gastro retentive dosage form (GRDF) tablets to enhance its oral bioavailability. GRDDs are an approach to prolong gastric residence time, there by targeting site-specific drug release in the upper GIT for local or systemic effect. GRDF tablets of Ibandronic acid (200 mg) were characterized with the effects of Carbopol 934P, HPMC 4KM and Na-CMC at various ratios on swelling, floating, physical integrity. A prolonged dissolution profile of Ibandronic acid GRDF tablets developed in this study was observed for its thickness, friability, hardness, drug content and in-vitro drug release. Formulated Floating tablets of Ibandronic acid gave satisfactory results for various physicochemical parameters like hardness, friability, thickness, weight variation and content uniformity. Sodium bicarbonate has predominant effect on the buoyancy lag time, while HPMC K4M has predominant effect on total floating time and drug release. From the study it is evident that a promising controlled release floating tablets of Ibandronic acid can be developed to increase gastric residence time and thereby increasing its bioavailability. Both doses significantly reduced the occurrence risk of new vertebral fractures by 50–52 percent when compared to the effects of the placebo drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]