Xanthan Gum Based Once a Day Matrix Tablet of Cefixime Trihydrate: Development and Evaluation

The present study was an attempt to investigate the feasibility of the matrix based sustained release unit dosage formulation of cefixime trihydrate. Matrix tablets were prepared by using xanthan gum along with the other polymer combinations (Guar gum, sodium alginate and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose). Effect of different formulation variables like polymer concentration, ratio of polymer combination and compression force was evaluated. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter and X ray diffraction analysis were also carried out to evaluate physico-chemical compatibility between drug and excipients. In vitro release results suggested a 24 h controlled drug release from the prepared tablet of cefixime trihydrate. Swelling and erosion studies were performed to verify the release mechanisms involved in the formulation. In vitro antimicrobial study was also performed to check the synergistic efficacy of CFT with excipients. The formulations were found to be stable up to 3 months of stability testing at 40oC/75% RH. INTRODUCTION: Oral controlled release (CR) formulations have become very popular over conventional multidose therapy because of their uniform therapeutic efficacy, lesser or no side effects, and better patient compliance 1 . Matrix tablets are prevalent among the other oral controlled drug delivery formulations because of their simplicity, ease in manufacturing, high level of reproducibility, stability of the raw materials and dosage form, ease of scale-up and process validation 2 .