Formulation and evaluation of rapidly désintégration furosémide tablet

Formulation and evaluation of rapidly disintegrating furosemide tablets

Abstract

Oral liquid forms of furosemide are very rarely available on the market. Custom-made preparations produced in hospital settings for the management of paediatric patients are prone to instability. The aim of this study was to develop rapid-dispersing furosemide tablets for paediatric patients.

Rapid-dispersing tablets were formulated. They contained a diluent inspired by the Pharmaburst C1, 20% w/w microcrystalline cellulose, 1 to 4% w/w croscarmellose sodium, 0.5% w/w magnesium stearate, 2.5% w/w sodium benzoate, and 0.1% w/w sodium saccharinate. The rheological characteristics of the powder mixtures were determined prior to direct compression. The appearance, average mass, hardness, friability, assay and dissolution of the tablets were determined according to European and British pharmacopeia

Two formulations, named F1 and F2, were produced. The average mass and friability were in accordance with pharmacopoeia standards. The disintegration time was 126s and 158s for F1 and F2, respectively. The furosemide content in the tablets was 96.76 ±1.22 and 100.14 ±1.93 for F1 and F2, respectively. The percentage of in vitro release of furosemide was 87.45% and 62.93% m/m in 3 minutes for tablets F1 and F2, respectively, and 100% after 10 minutes.

Formulation F1 showed the best characteristics. It could be further optimized before scale-up.