Abstract

The use of ammonia methacrylate copolymer as a carrier for the preparation of oral controlled-release matrix tablets containing water-insoluble drugs and investigating the effect of curing conditions. Tablets were cured at 40 °C with or without 75% relative humidity (RH). The crystalline structures were analyzed with powder X-ray diffractometry and dissolution studies were performed in USP dissolution apparatus type II. With increasing the ethanol content (0–20%, w/w) in the granulation fluid, the drug release was decreased. The drug release from the tablets cured at 70 °C/24 h was similar to those that cured at 40 °C with 75% RH/24 and the drug release kinetic was fitted with the zero-order release mechanism. The x-ray study showed no change in the crystalline structure of carbamazepine. As the curing duration, compression force and granule size were increased, the drug release was decreased. The drug release was proportionally changed with surface area/volume ratio, agitation rate, and polymer permeability; meanwhile, the release was unchanged with increased drug content from 30% to 50% w/w. Ammonio methacrylate copolymer could be used as a carrier for water-insoluble drugs and to prepare controlled-release matrix tablets.

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