Design and Optimization of Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Controlled Release Tablets Using HPMC K 15 M

Venlafaxine hydrochloride was formulated as oral controlled release matrix tablets using hydrophilic polymer such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K₁₅ M) along with electrolytes. In this work a new attempt was made for in situ interactions between drug and electrolytes were devised to control the release of highly water soluble drugs from oral hydrophilic monolithic systems. Electrolytes such as Calcium carbonate, magnesium trisilicate, sodium bicarbonate were used at different concentrations in various formulations, while drug and polymer concentrations were maintained constantly at 1:1 ratios in all the formulations. These electrolytes were used to monitor matrix swelling and gel properties. These findings indicated that the swelling and gel formation in the presence of ionizable species within the hydrophilic matrices provide an attractive alternative for controlled drug delivery from a simple monolithic system. FTIR studies were carried out for some selected formulations, which indicated that there were no interactions between drug and excipients used.