Application of Dika Fat in the Formulation of Hard Gelatin Capsules with the Soft Centre

Abstract

The feasibility of using dika fat and some solid vegetable fats in the formulation of hard gelatin capsules with the soft centre was evaluated in this study. Phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA HCl) and chlorpheniramine maleate (CM) capsules containing dika fat (DF), stearic acid (STA), stearic acid (STA), Stearolac-S (STS) were prepared by the thermosoftening technique. Dissolution profiles of the formulations in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) showed that a measure of sustained release of the drugs was achieved over 8 hours and that drug release was by diffusion control. These fatty excipients may prove useful in this emerging technology for drug delivery.

Keywords: sustained release, hard gelatin capsules, dika fat, hydrogenated fatty acids

Nigerian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 8 No 1 pp. 255 - 269 (September 2010)