Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

The main aim of present work was to formulate and evaluate sustain release matrix tablets of Azathioprine, an Antirheumatic Agents. Sustain release formulation are those which delivers the drug locally or systemically at a predetermined rate for a fixed period of time. The matrix tablet was prepared by direct compression method using by various concentration of Ethyl cellulose, Sodium Alginate and HPMC K4M various release retardant polymer. The powder mixtures were subjected to various pre-compression parameters such as angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density and Carr's index shows satisfactory result and the compressed tablets are evaluated for post-compression parameters such as weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, drug content, In-vitro dissolution studies. In-vitro dissolution studies were carried out for 12 hours using 0.1 N HCL for first 2 hours and pH 6.8 phosphate buffer for 12 hours and the result showed that formulations A7 showed good dissolution profile to control the drug release respectively. Formulation containing higher concentration of HPMC K4M polymer sustained the drug release for the period of 12 hours. The kinetics studies the optimized formulation followed Peppas release kinetics.