Development and In Vitro Evaluation of Buccoadhesive Tablets of Metoprolol Tartrate

Buccoadhesive tablet of metoprolol tartrate was developed to prolong its release and improve bioavailability by avoidance of hepatic first pass metabolism during the treatment of chronic hypertension. The formulations were tested for weight, hardness, friability, content uniformity, swelling index, bioadhesive force and drug release rate. Carbopol 934 P was used as bioadhesive polymer and methocel K4M was added as a matrix former. Backing layer of ethyl cellulose was given to the tablets. Optimised formulation containing carbopol 934 P and methocel K4M in the ratio of 1:1 showed surface pH values in the range of 6 to 7 and 91.50% cumulative release of drug in 10 h. Stability study revealed that the optimized formulation was stable for atleast 3 mo.