Abstract

“DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF TOPICAL FORMULATION OF CARBAMAZEPINE”

Girish Dhanraj Mali* and Satish Vasudeo Shirolkar

Abstract

Carbamazepine is a synthetic compound of the benzodiazepine class, used as an anticonvulsant and analgesic drug. Carbamazepine is relatively slowly but well absorbed after oral administration. Its plasma half-life is about 30 hours when it is given as single dose, but it is a strong inducer of hepatic enzymes and the plasma half-life shortens to about 15 hours when it is given repeatedly. Psoriasis is autoimmune disease in which genetic and environmental factors have a significant role. Carbamazepine was accidently discovered to have antipsoriatic properties. Various formulations i.e. A1 to A12 were prepared using propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol in varied concentrations. Prepared formulations (A1 to A12) were evaluated for various parameters like color, appearance, consistency, pH, spreadability and IR. Characterization of carbamazepine was carried out by melting point and IR. The gels were found to have good spreadability and pH within the range of skin pH and thus suitable to use on skin. Carbamazepine formulation with water showed problems like precipitation of drug leading to turbidity. Hence, propylene glycol (93%) was used to dissolve the drug while formulating gel. Among all the formulations studied, formulation containing propylene glycol (93%), Carbopol 934 (2%) and Carbamazepine (5%) showed desirable characteristics.

Keywords: carbamazepine, psoriasis, topical gel.