FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF IN VITRO MIRTAZPINE EXTENDED RELEASE TABLETS

The objective of the present study was to formulate and evaluate once daily extended release matrix tablets of Mirtazapine an atypical anti depressant used in major depressive disorder.. Alcoholic solution of povidone was used as granulating agent and hydrophilic matrix materials like Hydroxyl Propyl Methyl Cellulose, Poly Ethylene Oxide, and Carbopol were used as release controlling agents. The tablets were subjected to studies of thickness, hardness, weight variation, friability and in vitro release. According to theoretical release profile calculation, a once daily extend release formulation should release the 1.9 mg of Mirtazapine in 1 hour (6.88 % per hour). The results of dissolution studies indicated that formulation T-13 eleased the drug up to 14 hours in a zero order manner, and total release pattern was very close to the theoretical release profile.