PREPARATION AND IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF LEVAMISOLE HYDROCHLORIDE AS A CANDY BASED ANTHELMINTIC MEDICATED LOLLIPOPS FOR PEDIATRICS

Helminthiasis is prevalent globally, but is more common in developing countries with poorer personal and environmental hygiene, which is the major cause of undernourishment, anaemia, eosinophilia and pneumonia. The development of taste masking for bitter-tasting drugs administered orally for children has always been a formidable challenge for formulation scientists and this study reflects one of the contemporary advancements in the pediatric dosage forms. This study involves the preparation of candy based medicated lollipops of drug Levamisole, a synthetic imidathiazole derivative which acts by targeting the nematode nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor for pediatrics, by heating and congealing technique, using polymers like Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, Methyl cellulose, Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose and comparing with lollipops with no hydrocolloids. It was found that the formulation containing methyl cellulose showed better drug release and was more stable, unlike the other formulations.