Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
Chime, S.A., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Onyishi, V.I., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Onyechi, J.O., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
The objective of the work was to produce co-processed metronidazole granules and to formulate metronidazole tablets by direct compression. Potato starch was extracted from Ipomoea batatas, the starch obtained was pregelatinized. Co-processed metronidazole granules were formulated using 10 % of pregelatinized potato starch and 0, 2, 4 and 6 %w/w of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as binders. The flow properties of the granules were assessed using direct and indirect methods. The tablets were formulated by direct compression using potato starch as the extra granular disintegrant (3.5 %) and magnesium stearate as lubricants. The properties of the tablets were evaluated using official and non official tests. The results of the study showed that the flow properties of the granules were good and fell within acceptable limits for good tablet production. Metronidazole granules showed fast disintegration time, good hardness and also complied with BP specification for tablets weight uniformity. The friability results were significantly lower than 1 % for all the tablets batches (p < 0.05). The tablet formulations showed a fast release of the drug with maximum release (T100) at 24 min in most formulations. Therefore, metronidazole tablets could be formulated by direct compression in order to enhance the oral bioavailability of this drug.