Evaluation of Eudragit® RS-PO and Ethocel® 100 matrices for the controlled release of lobenzarit disodium

Lobenzarit disodium is a drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In this work, inert matrix tablets of lobenzarit disodium were prepared by direct compression using Ethocel(R) 100 and Eudragit(R) RS-PO as polymeric materials in different ratios. The obtained powder mixtures and tablets were evaluated from the rheological and technological points of view. The dissolution test was performed to evaluate the in vitro release kinetic of the matrices. The obtained dissolution profiles demonstrated that the matrices containing Eudragit RS-PO showed a slower release rate and therefore were more suitable for controlling the release of drug. The fit to the Higuchi model indicates that the drug release mechanism from these matrices was controlled by the diffusion step.