Formulation and evaluation of gel containing fluconazole as an antifungal agent

Abstract

Fluconazole is an imidazole derivative used for the treatment of local and synthetic fungal infection. The oral use of fluconazole is not recommended as it has many side effects. The present study was designed to formulate and evaluate different formulae o f topical gel containing fluconazole for treatment of fungal infection of skin. The gel was formulated by using carbapol in different concentration (0.5, 1, and 1.5) as gelling agent. Three different formulae (F1, F2, F3) was prepared and characterized phy sically in term of colour, spreadability, pH and rheological properties (viscosity). Drug -excipients compatibility studies were confirmed by FT -IR. In-vitro diffusion study using phosphate buffer pH 5.5 as medium and permeation study using Modified Franz d iffusion cell was performed. The result of in-vitro drug release permeation studies showed that the higher values was from F1 (85% of drug release) when compared to other formulation F2&F3.