Sustained release bioadhesive effervescent ketoconazole microcapsules tabletted for vaginal delivery

Microcapsules of ketoconazole with 1:1 and 1:2 core-wall ratios were prepared by means of the phase separation technique using sodium carboxymethylcellulose as a coating material. The microcapsules were mixed with effervescent granules and were tabletted. Dissolution studies of microcapsules, tabletted microcapsules and commercial ovules were carried out with a new basket method (horizontal rotating basket). A good sustained action was obtained with tablets. Micromeritic investigations were carried out on microcapsules in order to standardize the microcapsule product and to optimize the pilot production of the dosage forms prepared with these microcapsules. Bulk volume and weight, tapping volume and weight, fluidity, angle of repose, weight deviation, relative deviation, particle size distribution, density and porosity values of the microcapsules were determined. In addition, to evaluate whether some kind of glidant will be needed during tabletting of microcapsules, the Hausner ratio and consolidation index were also calculated and it may be concluded that microcapsules do not need any glidant.