Preparation and in vitro evaluation of mini-tablets of guaifenesin glyceryl glycolate

Abstract

Background: Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth but it is very bitter and large-scale drug forms available in the market. Pure guaifenesin powder has also very poor flowability. Objective: Due to the existenceof large scale drug forms in the drug market,it causes limited use in the elderly and children age group.Therefore,the necessity of making medicine with small dimensions(mini-tablet) is raised.Improving the flowability of the powder of guaifenesin with carnauba wax is also one of the goals. Method: Carnauba wax is melted and after melting combined in different properties such as 1:5,1:6 and 1:7 with pure guaifenesin powder and the formed granules are passed through a sieve then turned into mini-tablets with a 4 mL mandrel.Various tests such as content,release,thickness, and hardness are performed on mini tablets.In order to sustain the release of guaifenesin,it was coated with a polymer of ethyl cellulose (EC). Results: The result of various tests such as drug content test,particle size,friability, Hausner ratio, and carr's index was that a 1:6 ratio is the best ratio for providing mini tablets.For sustaining the release of guaifenesin it's possible to use the polymer coating of ethylcellulose,aerosol, and acid stearic on the best ratio of 1:6. The highest amounts of drug released in acidic gastric were related to G4 granules (ratio 1: 6) with 47.24%. This is possible due to the dissolution of the wax at the acidic pH of the stomach. G´4 granules (G4 re-coated with EC) is showed slower release than G4 with 26.24% (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that the mini-tablets of guaifenesin could be a promising drug for use by the children and the elderly age group.