Abstract

EVALUATION OF PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS FOR PURE DRUG AND FAST DISSOLVING TABLETS OF MELOXICAM

K. Ashok* and M. V. Nagabhushanam

Abstract

In the present investigation the pharmacokinetic parameters of pure drug and an optimized formulation of fast dissolving tablets of Meloxicam were evaluated and compared. The formulations were administered to 2 groups of white New Zealand rabbits (n=6) following cross over design pattern and the plasma levels were measured using LC-MS/MS method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for each formulation. The comparison of the plasma time curves of the dosage forms showed that each dosage form caused significant differences in the drug plasma levels. The highest mean Cmax value was observed for optimized Fast dissolving tablets (158.46  0.15ng/ml) compared to pure drug (67.56  0.43 ng/ml). The mean time taken to peak plasma concentration for (Tmax) following administration of pure drug was 11.42  0.32 hours, while it was 6.15  0.14 hour following administration of selected optimized fast dissolving tablets. The elimination rate constant (Kel) for pure drug and optimized fast dissolving tablets were found to be 0.96  0.004h -1 and 0.82  0.003h -1 respectively. The absorption rate constant (Ka) for pure drug and optimized Fast dissolving tablets were found to be 2.92  0.01h -1 and 7.76  0.01 h -1 respectively. The AUC0-α values observed with optimized Fast dissolving tablets 564.9. 1.36 ng hr/ml in compared to pure drug values 126  1.23 ng hr/ml.Thus, the results of pharmacokinetic studies indicated rapid and higher oral absorption of Meloxicam when administered as its fast dissolving tablets. Both Ka and AUC were markedly increased by fast dissolving tablets.

Keywords: LC-MS/MS, Meloxicam, Fast Dissolving, In-vivo Studies, Pharmacokinetic parameters.