Formulation and Characterization of Fast Dissolving films of Etoricoxib

Abstract

Etoricoxib belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Etoricoxib acts by reducing the pain and swelling (inflammation) in the joints and muscles of people older than 16 years of age and older patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and gout. The present study was aimed to formulate fast dissolving oral films to enhance bioavailability, avoid presystemic metabolism and fast onset of action. The Preformulation studies such as Micromeritics, melting point, partition coefficients, UV spectroscopy, thin layer chromatography, loss on drying were carried out. The fast dissolving oral film was successfully fabricated by solvent casting method. Oral film was fabricated using PVA and PVP polymer. The prepared films were evaluated for Organoleptic evaluations, film weight, thickness, folding endurance, tensile strength, drug content uniformity of films, surface pH, disintegration time and in-vitro dissolution studies and SEM study. The formulation F8 has shown disintegration time of 22±1 seconds and is more promising, showed drug release in phosphate buffer 6.8 pH 86.33% in 10 min. Hence formulation F8 was selected as best formulation. In the stability testing all films stored at elevated temperature showed slight change in pH, other parameters were found to be unchanged.