FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF EUDRAGIT RS 100 LOADED MICROSPONGES OF FLUTRIMAZOLE

Flutrimazole is a wide spectrum antifungal drug. It is used for the topical treatment of superficial mycoses of the skin. Conventional topical products typically provide active ingredients in relatively high concentrations but with a short duration of action. Microsponge Systems are designed to allow a sustained rate of release of the active ingredients, offering a potential reduction in side effects while maintaining their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to produce microsponges containing flutrimazole which were able to control the release of drug to the skin. Compatibility of drug with formulation components were established by Differential Scanning Colorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR). Microsponges were prepared by using previously optimized emulsion solvent diffusion method. Shape and surface morphology were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Drug content, particle size analysis and loading yield were determined in the prepared microparticles. The micrograph revealed microporous nature of microsponges. It was shown that the drug: polymer ratio, stirring rate, volume of dispersed phase influenced the particle size and drug release behavior of the formed microsponges. Flutrimazole microparticles were then incorporated into standard vehicles for release studies. Kinetics of drug release from microsponge itself followed Higuchi matrix model. Drug release was observed controlled as compared with the cream containing free drug.