Formulation and In-vitro Evaluation of Sustained Release Matrix Tablets of Levofloxacin

The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate sustained release matrix tablets of levofloxacin to achieve sustained drug release with reduced side effects and improved patient compliance. Different batches of sustained release matrix tablets of levofloxacin were prepared by direct compression method using HPMC, sodium CMC and sodium alginate as polymers, Avicel PH 102 (MCC) as filler and starch as binder. The prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, weight variation, friability, drug content uniformity, in vitro drug release, in vitro drug release kinetics and Acceralerated stability studies. It was found average hardness of the tablets to be in range 6.7± 0.04 to 7.7 ± 0.35 kg/cm2. The friability of the prepared tablets was found in the range of 0.005±0.034 to 0.6±0.035 %. The uniformity of drug levofloxacin present in tablets formulation ranged from 96.84 ± 0.16 to 98.87 ± 0.34%. The in vitro drug release was studied by using pH 1.2 acidic buffer for 24 hours. Among all twelve formulations F1 to F12, the best formulation F4 was found to be 99.5% drug release in 24 hours which showed the sustained action drug release. The formulations F1 to F12 followed first order release kinetics with non fickian diffusion mechanism.