ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Ethylcellulose, polycaprolactone, and eudragit matrices for controlled release of piroxicam from tablets and microspheres

Kheira Diaf, Zineb El Bahri, Nafa Chafi, Lahcen Belarbi, and Abderrezzak Mesli

Laboratory of Macromolecular and Physical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Djillali Liabès University, 22000 Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria

E-mail: chafinafa@yahoo.fr

Abstract: The present paper provides details of the preparation of polymeric tablets and microspheres based on piroxicam as a therapeutic active agent and the drug release study from these formulations. Tablets composed of ethylcellulose, Eudragit® or mixtures of Eudragit® and synthesised poly(oxepan-2-one) were prepared and tested. The effect of the matrix on the drug release at 37°C was studied. The drug-loaded microparticles were prepared using solvent evaporation microencapsulation. These systems were characterised by SEM and FTIR spectroscopy and the size and size distribution were also determined. The results demonstrated that the drug release could be modified by means of these formulations. Finally, piroxicam dissolution rate constants were calculated from Higuchi’s release model.

Keywords: piroxicam – polycaprolactone – ethylcellulose – microspheres – tablet – drug release

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-012-0191-x

Chemical Papers 66 (8) 779–786 (2012)