Formulation Development and Evaluation of Carbamazepine Sustained Release Matrix Tablets Using Natural Gums

The present study reports the development and evaluation of sustained release matrix tablets of carbamazepine employing natural gums, i.e., xanthan and guar gum. Sustained release carbamazepine tablets reduce dosage frequency, fluctuations in plasma concentration and side effects thus alleviating patient's burden and improve their quality of life. Tablets were prepared by co-evaporation method. Three formulations were designed using drug to polymer ratio of 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2 with each polymer. Granules and tablets were evaluated for various physical characteristics and in vitro drug release and the data was evaluated for various release models to determine the drug release mechanism. The designed matrix tablets satisfied all the physicochemical attributes of tablet dosage form. The results of the study showed that increasing polymer concentration decreased the release rate and enhanced sustaining effect. The pharmacokinetic evaluation proved that carbamazepine matrix tablets formulated with guar gum with drug to polymer ratio (1:2) have better bioavailability as compared to xanthan gum and reference standard.

Automated summary

This study developed sustained release matrix tablets of carbamazepine using natural gums xanthan and guar gum. Increasing polymer concentration was found to decrease release rate and enhance sustaining effect. Tablets formulated with guar gum showed better bioavailability in pharmacokinetic evaluation compared to xanthan gum and reference standard.