Abstract

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF CONTROLLED RELEASE OCULAR MINITABLETS OF FLUOROQUINOLONES

Phadke Ninad Mukund *, Phadtare Dipti Ganesh, Saudagar Ravindranath Bhanudas

Abstract

Transport of drugs applied by traditional dosage forms is restricted to the eye, and therapeutic drug concentrations in the target tissues are not maintained for a long duration since the eyes are protected by a unique anatomy and physiology. There is urgent need to develop ocular drug delivery systems which provide controlled release for the treatment of chronic diseases, and increase patient’s and doctor’s convenience to reduce the dosing frequency and invasive treatment. This research was carried out to develop Ocular Minitablets which are novel ocular dosage forms for the treatment of the posterior segment of the eye that produced controlled release of drug for the period of 12 hrs. Basically these formulations are nothing but ocular inserts prepared by direct compression technique. Levofloxacin, Carbopol 971G, HPMC K4M, HPMC K100 M, Sodium CMC and magnesium stearate were used for preparation of ocular minitablets. Antibacterial studies showed that the Levofloxacin ocular minitablets are best suited for the treatment of bacterial keratitis or conjunctivitis.The formulations were found to be non-irritating with no ocular damage.

Keywords: Ocular Minitablets, Levofloxacin Hemihydrate, Bacterial Keratitis, Bacterial Conjunctivitis.