Rapidly disintegrating fast release tablets of diazepam using solid dispersion: development and evaluation

Abstract

This study presents development of diazepam tablets, which could provide rapid disintegration and immediate release of drug in oral cavity. Tablets were prepared by conventional wet granulation and direct compression methods. Diazepam was formulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) as a solid dispersion to increase aqueous solubility and dissolution of drug. Croscarmellose sodium and AerolacR were used in tablet formulation to achieve rapid disintegration of tablets prepared respectively by wet granulation and direct compression methods. Tablets developed in this study disintegrated in 37 seconds (wet granulation) and 31 seconds (direct compression) and released 85% in about 21-22 min, whereas marketed tablet disintegrates in 116 seconds and release same amount of drug in 130 min. This study indicates that rapidly disintegrating fast release tablets can be prepared by the conventional methods utilizing the existing infrastructure of tablet manufacturing.