Effects of dissolution medium, pH and temperature on the in vitro release properties of metronidazole tablets

Abstract

The effects of dissolution medium, pH and temperature on the in vitro release properties of metronidazole, a commonly used antiprotozoal, from its tablet dosage forms have been studied. Metronidazole tablets were formulated using the conventional wet granulation technique. The standard tablet characteristics such as uniformity of weight, hardness and friabliity wer determined. Different dissolution media namely – simulated intestinal fluid (S. I. F.), simulated gastric fluid (S. G. F.) and buffer solutions (pH 2 to 11) were employed for disolution and disntegration studies. Similarly, disssolution studies were carrtied out at varying temperatures to determine the effect of temperature onn release and disintegration. Results obtained showed that the tablets possessed officailly acceptable hardness, uniformity of weight, and absolute drug content, but a high friablity. The drugs were released faster in the less acidic S. I. F. than in th S. G. F. while the dissolution and disintegration rates increased as the pH increased.. Temperature also increased the dissolution and disintegration rates.

Key words: dissolution medium, pH, temperature, release, metronidazole

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol.2(2) 2005: 209-213