4. Formulation and evaluation of diclofenac potassium effervescent tablets

In the present study, the design of an oral effervescent tablet of diclofenac potassium was carried out. Six different formulations were prepared using different diluents, carbonates by wet granulation and direct compression method. The prepared tablets were evaluated for various pre compression characteristics (like angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, cars index and hausner’s ratio) and post compression characteristics (like weight variation, hardness friability ,drug content, disintegration, CO2 content, effervescent time, particle size and in vitro dissolution studies). The dissolution test was carried out in SIF without enzymes, 0.1N HCl and pH 4.8 acetate buffer. Among all the formulations, its F3 formulations were better in all the terms of precompression and post compression parameters. In F3 formulations, F3A (by direct compression) and F3B (by wet granulation method) were there. F3B (composed of active dextrates (Emdex), citricacid, tartaric acid, effersoda and arginine) had given good pre formulation and post compression studies as F3A. Even the drug release in the medium SIF pH6.8 without enzymes was 99.2% when compared to F3A (98.7%) and marketed tablet (98%).It had all the qualities of a good effervescent tablet, based on this F3B formulation was selected as the best formulation, and it was charged for stability studies. It had given better release profile in all the mediums when compared to marketed conventional tablet (SUPANAC). A better therapeutic objective can be obtained by formulating effervescent tablet of diclofenac potassium that may help in obviating the demerits of slow release and slow absorption, gastrointestinal side effects of normal tablets.