Abstract

Fast dissolving tablets of diclofenac sodium were prepared using direct compression after incorporating superdisintegrants such as cross linked carboxymethylcellulose, sodium starch glycolate and cross linked povidone in different concentrations. All the formulations were evaluated for the influence of disintegrants and their concentrations on the characteristics of fast dissolving tablet mainly in terms of disintegration time and dissolution rate. Tablets containing cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose showed better disintegrating character along with rapid release (90% drug release in 10 min.). No appreciable difference was found between the formulations containing other two superdisintegrants. The concentration of the superdisintegrants had also an effect on disintegration time and in vitro dissolution. There seems to be a trend towards use of higher level of disintegrants producing rapid disintegration and faster dissolution. The resulting tablets were also evaluated for its hardness and friability and were found to be independent of disintegrant concentration.