DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF TASTE-MASKED ORALLY DISINTEGRATING TABLETS OF LEVOCETIRIZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE

Purpose: The goal of this study was to develop taste-masked orally disintegrating tablets of the bitter-tasting levocetirizine dihydrochloride (LCDH) to improve the accessibility and adherence of pediatric, elderly, non-cooperative and paraplegic patients. Methods: In the present study, orally disintegrating Levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablets were formulated by direct compression. Taste masking was achieved using a pH-independent polymeric dispersion of Surelease E-7-19040 in combination with Opadry YS-1-19025-A in different ratios. In-vivo taste evaluation was done to see if the tablets produced utilizing the direct compression approach were successfully disguised. Results: The present study investigated uncoated and coated drug substances and prepared tablets of coated LCDH for flow as well as compression behaviour, Fourier Transform Infrared absorption spectra, Differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and in-vitro dissolution and disintegration properties. Conclusion: Using a combination of two polymeric dispersions “Sure lease E-1-19040” and “Opadry” coating for the delivery of LCDH, it was shown that a taste-masking evaluation could be performed to identify effective polymer-carriers for the LCDH.