Abstract

Nifedipine, an important therapeutic agent in the management of cardiovascular disorder is recommended to administer as modified release dosage form in order to avoid the fluctuations in blood levels. An in vitro evaluation of modified release formulations, marketed in India was conducted and compared their performance with a novel matrix-based multi particulate system. The results indicate that even though the marketed formulations are found to comply to the definition of modified release formulations and predicted to produce therapeutic blood level for a prolonged period of time, the fluctuations were expected to be found uncontrolled except in the osmotic systems and the matrix-based multi particulate system. Thus, it was concluded that novel matrix-based multi particulate system were found to be superior to any other marketed formulations with respect to the therapeutic advantage as well as manufacturing feasibility.