Formulation Development and In-Vitro Evaluation of Gabapentin Matrix Tablets

A controlled release system is designed to provide constant or nearly constant drug levels in plasma with reduced dose, frequency of administration and fluctuations in plasma concentrations via slow release over an extended period of time.One of the least complicated approaches to the manufacture of controlled release dosage forms involves the direct compression of blend of drug, retardant material and additives to formulate a tablet in which the drug is embedded in a matrix of the retardant. Gabapentin is an anti epileptic drug used for the treatment of epileptic seizures and in treatment of post therapeutic neuralgia.  In this study controlled released Gabapentin matrix tablets were prepared by using different matrix forming polymers which include hydrophilic polymers like HPMC K15M, HPMC K100M, Xanthan gum and hydrophobic polymer like Ethylcellulose in various ratios to retard the release of drug upto 12hrs. The formulations containing the combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymer combinations (HPMC K100M with Ethycellulose) and the formulations prepared with the combination of two hydrophilic polymers of synthetic and natural origin (HPMC K100M with Xanthan Gum) exhibited maximum drug release(99%) upto12hrs during in vitro dissolution studies with optimum swelling characteristics.