Abstract

An enteric-coated tablet with modified geometry was prepared comprising of layers that absorb water and swell, plus a simplified highly water-soluble middle layer containing glibenclamide and excipients which draw water into the tablet core simultaneously. Glibenclamide has poorly water solubility and so has a problem of variable bioavailability and bioequivalence. This work investigated the rapid as well as controlled release of glibenclamide that too in a minimum amount of surrounding solvent. The middle layer of prepared tablets rapidly observes water when reaches the intestine, and the relatively rigid swollen matrix structure of the upper and lower layer facilitates consistent in vivo drug release in the intestinal tract. The drug releases out of the dosage form when it reaches the colon, where a shortage of surrounding media has been reported to be one of the key reasons for the malabsorption of drugs. The formulations were studied for water uptake, the minimum amount of solvent required for drug release and in vitro drug release. Animal studies were performed on the rabbit model, where after oral administration of formulation the blood glucose level dropped significantly. A minimal 30 ml of fluid was required to carry out the drug release, thereby suggesting formulation design plays a crucial role in the drug release. This formulation technology could be useful among patients where a lesser amount of intestinal fluid secretion is noted or when the patient consumes lesser fluid due to scarcity, traveling, kidney failure patients, etc.