Formulation and in vitro characterization of gastro retentive floating tablets of quetiapine fumarate

Abstract

This research focuses on the development and evaluation of gastroretentive floating tablets of Quetiapine Fumarate to enhance its bioavailability by prolonging gastric residence time. Quetiapine Fumarate, an antipsychotic used primarily for treating psychiatric disorders, exhibits absorption predominantly in the stomach, making it an ideal candidate for gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS). The floating tablets were formulated using a direct compression method incorporating hydrophilic polymers HPMC K100M and K4M and sodium bicarbonate as a gas-forming agent to achieve buoyancy. The study systematically analyzed the formulation process through the optimization of polymer concentrations and gas-forming agents to regulate the floating lag time and total floating duration, crucial for sustained drug release. In vitro evaluation of the tablets involved assessing physical parameters such as hardness, friability, drug content, and dissolution profiles. The results showed that the tablets maintained buoyancy over 12 hours and released the drug following zero-order kinetics, indicating a controlled release mechanism. The discussion elaborates on the interaction between the formulation components and their impact on the drug release behavior. Increasing polymer concentrations were found to extend the floating lag time, whereas higher concentrations of sodium bicarbonate reduced it. The optimized formulation achieved a balance between these components, resulting in a consistent and prolonged drug release. This study demonstrates the potential of floating tablets to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients requiring controlled drug delivery in the gastrointestinal tract.