Formulation and Optimization of Zolmitriptan Orodispersible Tablets

Zolmitriptan is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist reported for the acute migraine treatment, having poor water solubility leads to poor bioavailability. In the present study, attempt to improve the bioavailability of zolmitriptan with the help of PVP K-30 using the microwave irradiation method.  The zolmitriptan and PVP K- 30 in 1:1 ratio was subjected to microwave irradiation for different times such as 60,80,100,120 seconds at 650 watts. Characterization of solid dispersion was done by drug content, XRD, FTIR, DSC. FTIR analysis demonstrated there are no compatibility issues. XRD studies prove that the solid dispersion was in amorphous form. DSC studies prove that solid dispersion was amorphous based on the intensity of peaks. The prepared dispersion was made into orodispersible tablets by direct compression. The optimization of these formulations was carried out by using 32 factorial designs on Design Expert 10.0 software. In order to examine the effect of independent variables Crospovidone (X1), croscarmellose sodium (X2), and combined effect of independent variables 32 factorial design was selected. In this design, two responses such as disintegration time and % drug release were evaluated, and experimental trials are performed for all 9 formulations. For all formulations, the precompression and post-compression parameters were studied. Based upon the model optimized formulation (C1 and C2) was obtained having the disintegration time (34.4±0.84 and 39.8±0.91) and %drug release (98.7±0.42 and 93.2±0.46) respectively. Keywords: Zolmitriptan, Solid dispersion, Microwave irradiation, Crospovidone, Croscarmellose sodium.