Hydroxypropylcellulose Controlled Release Tablet Matrix Prepared by Wet Granulation: Effect of Powder Properties and Polymer Composition

The aim of this study was to attain 100% drug release of caffeine after 24 h from hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) tablet matrices and to investigate the effect of co-excipient. Physical properties of the powders were evaluated and suggested for a wet granulation process. The tablet containing caffeine was formulated by different weight ratios of hydrophilic polymers. The results of polymer evaluation confirmed that the increase of HPC level with the same drug content significantly decreased the rate of drug release. The presence of co-polymer excipients carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in the tablet matrix was also investigated. The release rate was also controlled by low levels of CMC (<10%) while PVP did not show any considerably effect. The best fit release rate 100% at 24 h was obtained when 10% of alpha-lactose monohydrate was added to the formulation.