Design and Evaluation of An Extended-Release Olmesartan Tablet Using Chitosan/Cyclodextrin Composites

Sustained-release olmesartan tablets (OLM) were prepared by the simple, direct compression of composites of anionic sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) and cationic spray-dried chitosan (SD-CS), and were evaluated for use as a sustained release preparation for the treatment of hypertension. An investigation of the interaction between OLM and SBE-β-CD by the solubility method indicated that the phase diagram of the OLM/SBE-β-CD system was the A(L) type, indicating the formation of a 1:1 inclusion complex. The release of OLM from tablets composed of the SD-CS/SBE-β-CD composite was slow in media at both pH 1.2 and at 6.8. The in vitro slow release characteristics of the SD-CS/SBE-β-CD composite were reflected in the in vivo absorption of the drug after normal rats were given an oral administration of the preparation. Furthermore, the SD-CS/SBE-β-CD composite continuously increased the antihypertensive effect of OLM in hypertensive rats, compared with that of the drug itself. These results suggest that a simple mixing of SD-CS and SBE-β-CD can be potentially useful for the controlled release of a drug for the continuous treatments of hypertension.