Abstract

FORMULATION, DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF FASTDISSOLVING SOLID DISPERSION TABLETS USING FUROSEMIDE

Farhat Shaikh*, Dr. Arun Kumar Gupta, Dr. Gaurav Jain, Dr. Pankaj Kushwah,

Abstract

Background: Furosemide, a loop diuretic widely prescribed for the management of edema and hypertension, exhibits poor aqueous solubility and erratic bioavailability due to its Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) Class IV characteristics. The present study aimed to enhance its solubility and dissolution rate through the development of fastdissolving solid dispersion tablets. Methods: Solid dispersions of Furosemide were prepared using the solvent evaporation method with hydrophilic polymers polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)—at varying drug- to-polymer ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3 w/w). The optimized solid dispersion was formulated into fast-dissolving tablets employing camphor as a subliming agent and different superdisintegrants (croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, and sodium starch glycolate). Tablets were evaluated for pre- and post-compression parameters, in vitro disintegration, dissolution behavior, and accelerated stability as per ICH Q1A (R2) guidelines. Results: Solid dispersion significantly enhanced the solubility and flow properties of Furosemide, with the optimized batch (SD-P2, drug:PVP K30 = 1:2) showing high yield (94.6 %) and uniform drug content (99.4 %). Among tablet formulations, batch S3 (8 mg croscarmellose sodium + 25 mg camphor) demonstrated rapid disintegration (9 s), high water absorption (98.9 %), and nearly complete drug release (97.1 % in 10 min) in 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2). Stability studies over 180 days showed no significant change in physicochemical or dissolution characteristics. Conclusion: The combined use of solid dispersion, sublimation, and optimized superdisintegrant concentration effectively improved the dissolution and onset of action of Furosemide. The developed fast-dissolving tablet represents a promising, patient-friendly dosage form for rapid diuretic therapy with enhanced bioavailability and compliance.

Keywords: Furosemide; solid dispersion; fast-dissolving tablets; PVP K30; croscarmellose sodium; sublimation technique.