Formulation and Evaluation of Levetiracetam Extended Release Tablets
Extended release formulation of levetiracetam is approved by the food and drug administration as an add-on to other antiepileptic drugs for adults with partial onset seizures. The main objective of present study was to developed and evaluate matrix tablet of levetiracetam by using various grade of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) polymer. Various trials were taken by using HPMC K4M, K15M, and K100M. Different parameters like Physical properties, FTIR, DSC, in vitro drug release profile and swelling index were determined. In vitro drug release was performed in phosphate buffer pH 6.8. The in vitro release profile was compared with model independent method. Stability studies were performed as per ICH guidelines for 1 month at (40 °C ± 2 °C/75 % ± 5 % RH).Data analysis was performed for determination of drug mechanism and order of drug release. The in vitro drug release profile of optimized formulation was compared with marketed formulation LEVERAXR. The regression value for zero order, first order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer Peppas was found to be 0.9604, 0.9245, 0.9889 and 0.9729, respectively. Similarity factor (f2) and dissimilarity factor (f1) was found to be 88.61 and 1.82, respectively. The FTIR and DSC study shows that there is no chemical interaction between levetiracetam and excipients. From the data analysis, it was concluded that optimized formulation follow Higuchi model having diffusion mechanism. The order of drug release was considered zero order release. Stability study shows that there was no remarkable change in drug release after 1 month. It is concluded that the formulation is stable at accelerated conditions.