Development and Evaluation of Bilayer Tablet of Metoclopramide HCl and Aceclofenac

Abstract

Bilayer tablets are basically used to administer a dosage form with dual release effect or to formulate two incompatible drugs. The main objective of the present research work was to prepare bilayer tablet of Metoclopramide hydrochloride (MTH) and Aceclofenac (ASF) for separate layers to avoid the degradation of the drug, with the desired release pattern and thus to maximize the efficacy of both drugs in combination for the effective treatment of migraine. MTH and ACF were formulated as immediate and conventional release layer respectively. ASF was formulated as conventional release layer using PVP K-30 and MCC as binder and disintegrants respectively. MTH was formulated as immediate release layer by using various disintegrants like Sodium starch glycolate (SSG), Cross carmellose sodium (CCS) and Pre-gelatinized starch (PGS). Mixture design technique was used to find out the optimized quantity of the super disintegrants. Disintegration time (DT) and drug release at 15 min (Rel_15min) were taken as dependent variables while quantity of super disintegrants was taken as independent variable. SSG and CCS in a concentration of 7.5% and 4.5% respectively gave a DT of 9 sec, and 98.67 % release at 15 min (Rel_15min).  Stability studies of bilayer tablets as well as physical mixture were carried out and the samples were evaluated with DSC, FT-IR and % content of drug. Bi-layer tablet was suitable for preventing direct contact of these two drugs and thus to maximize the efficacy of combination of two drugs for migraine.