Swelling, erosion and drug release characteristics of salbutamol sulfate from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-based matrix tablets.
BACKGROUND
Hydrophilic matrix formulations are important and simple technologies that are used to manufacture sustained release dosage forms.


METHODS
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-based matrix tablets, with and without additives, were manufactured to investigate the rate of hydration, rate of erosion, and rate and mechanism of drug release. Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess changes in the microstructure of the tablets during drug release testing and whether these changes could be related to the rate of drug release from the formulations.


RESULTS
The results revealed that the rate of hydration and erosion was dependent on the polymer combination(s) used, which in turn affected the rate and mechanism of drug release from these formulations. It was also apparent that changes in the microstructure of matrix tablets could be related to the different rates of drug release that were observed from the test formulations.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of scanning electron microscopy provides useful information to further understand drug release mechanisms from matrix tablets.
Faculty of Pharmacy, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.
Faith A
FA
Chaibva
Sandile M M
SM
Khamanga
Roderick B
RB
Walker
D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000737:chemistry; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D006244:Hardness; D007700:Kinetics; D007785:Lactose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012995:Solubility; D013607:Tablets / Q000737:chemistry*
D000179:Acrylates; D013607:Tablets; C492578:carbopol 71G; C509290:hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-lactose matrix; D008747:Methylcellulose; D007785:Lactose; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; D000420:Albuterol