The effect of superdisintegrants on the dissolution of atenolol fast dissolving tablets

Abstract

In the present study an attempt has been made to prepare fast dissolving tablets of atenolol, by using different superdisintegrants with enhanced disintegration & dissolution rate. Atenolol is a potent Antihypertensive agent. It  competes  with  sympathomimetic neuro  transmitters such  as  catacholamines such  as  catecholamines for binding at beta (1)  - adrenergic receptors in the heart and vascular smooth muscle, inhibiting sympathetic stimulation. Fast dissolving tablets of atenolol were prepared b y using different natural superdisintegrants like fenugreek  seed   mucilage,  Modified  Gum  karaya  and   Locust  bean  gum  by  direct  compression.  The precompression blend was tested for angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index and Hausner’s ratio. The tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time (1 min), dissolution rate, content uniformity, and were found to be within standard limit. It was concluded that the fast dissolving tablets with proper hardness, rapidly disintegrating with enhanced dissolution can be made using selected superdisintegrants. Among the different formulations of atenolol prepared and studied, the formulation F12 containing Locust bean gum was found to be the fast dissolving formulation.