DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF FAST DISSOLVING TABLETS OF TASTE MASKED ONDANSETRON HYDROCHLORIDE

Ondansetron HCl (Ond HCl) is a selective inhibitor of type-3 serotonium(5-HT3) receptor, is an antiemetic. It is an intensely bitter in taste. In the present study an attempt has been made to prepare bitter less fast dissolving tablet of Ond HCl using Eudragit E100 as a taste masking agent. Mass extrution was the technique used for preparing taste masked granules. Drug polymer complexes were tested for drug content, in vitro taste evaluation in simulated salivery fluid (SSF) of pH 6.2 and drug excipient interaction (IR spectroscopy). Complex that did not release drug in SSF was considered taste- masked and selected for formulation fast dissolving tablet. The complex with drug-polymer ratio 1:4 showed less amount of drug release in SSF; therefore, it was selected for further development of formulations. The tablet was prepared indion-414 as superdisintegrant. The blend was examined for angle of rapose, bulk density, tapped density and hausner’s ratio. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, drug content, friability, disintegration time and in vitro drug release study. The tablets disintegrated in vitro with in 20 s and complex drug was released from tablet with in 3 min. Thus, the in vitro study reveals that the prepared formulation is suitable for taste masking of Ond HCl as fast dissolving formulation.