In vitro Release Kinetics Study of Ranolazine from Swellable Hydrophilic Matrix Tablets

Abstract

The objective of this study was to design oral sustained release matrix tablets of Ranolazine using
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as the retardant polymer and to study the effect of formulation factors such
as polymer proportion and polymer viscosity on the release of drug. In vitro release studies were performed using
USP type II apparatus (paddle method) in 900 mL of 0.1N HCl at 100 rpm for 12 hours. The release kinetics was
analyzed using the zero-order, first order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas equations to explore and explain the
mechanism of drug release from the matrix tablets. In vitro release studies revealed that the release rate decreased
with increase in polymer proportion and viscosity grade. Mathematical analysis of the release kinetics indicated that
the nature of drug release from the matrix tablets was dependent on drug diffusion and polymer relaxation and
therefore followed non-Fickian or anomalous release. The developed controlled release matrix tablets of Ranolazine
prepared with high viscosity HPMC extended release up to 12 hours.