DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICS AND PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY

Fast-disintegrating tablets (FDTs) are tablets designed to dissolve rapidly when placed on the tongue resulting in quick disintegration of the drug into solution when in contact with saliva. This study aimed to formulate and evaluate fast disintegrating tablets of
diclofenac potassium using different concentrations of sodium starch glycolate (SSG) and croscarmellose sodium (CCS) as superdisintegrants.

Background: Diclofenac is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed for the management of pain and inflammatory disorders such as arthritis. Despite its therapeutic effectiveness, conventional immediate-release diclofenac formulations are often associated with frequent dosing and increased risk of gastrointestinal irritation due to rapid absorption and elimination. Sustained-release matrix tablet systems have been developed to address these limitations by providing prolonged drug action, reducing dosing frequency, and minimizing adverse effects. The selection and optimization of excipient blends, especially
hydrophilic polymers, play a pivotal role in achieving a desirable sustained-release profile and robust tablet quality.
Objective: This study investigates the effect of polymer blends, specifically hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and maize starch mucilage, in combination with Eudragit RL-100 and
polyethylene glycol (PEG), on the physical properties and drug release characteristics of sustained-release diclofenac sodium matrix tablets. Method: Matrix tablets were manufactured by direct compression, utilizing varying proportions of HPMC and maize starch mucilage as hydrophilic polymer binders within systems also containing Eudragit RL-100 and PEG. All formulations were evaluated for tablet hardness, friability, and disintegration time using standardized pharmacopeial procedures, with an emphasis on comparing physical integrity and sustained-release performance across ten distinct batches