Fabrication and In Vitro evaluation of Osmotic pump tablets for Controlled delivery of Diltiazem hydrochloride

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to design a porous osmotic pump–based drug delivery system for controlled release of Diltiazem Hydrochloride. Based on the principles of an elementary osmotic pump (OP), OP tablets were designed and evaluated with the aim to deliver Diltiazem Hydrochloride in a controlled manner. The tablets were prepared by direct compression method. Effects of coating thickness, surface porosity and viscolyzing polymer were studied.  Optimization results indicated that Diltiazem Hydrochloride release was inversely proportional to the membrane thickness and viscolyzing polymer; however directly proportional to the surface porosity of the membrane, respectively. It was concluded that the osmotic pump tablets could provide more prolonged and controlled Diltiazem Hydrochloride release that may result in an improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.