Preparation of Metronidazole Containing Film Dosage Forms from Sodium Alginate

Abstract

Metronidazole, an antiprotozoal drug, and Sodium Alginate (Alg-Na), a natural polysaccharide, have been used for wound healing by local application. In this study, film dosage forms containing metronidazole were prepared using Alg-Na as the film base, and the disintegration profile of the film and the drug release rate from the form in a small volume of aqueous medium were investigated. The forms were obtained by preparing with either 3-5% low-molecular-weight Alg-Na or1.5% high-molecular-weight Alg-Na containing 0.1% chitin. Though all the forms immediately swelled in physiological saline, each disintegration profile differed according to the species of Alg-Na or the base concentration. Film disintegration did not affect the drug release rate from the dosage forms and about 80% of metronidazole incorporated in the form were released in all case. These results suggest that these forms can effectively enable drug release on the skin, which is covered by effusion exuded from the wound.