Pharm Methods, 2016; 7(1): 17-22 A multifaceted peer reviewed journal in the field of Pharm Analysis and Pharmaceutics www.phmethods.net | www.journalonweb.com/phm Original Article Pharmaceutical Methods, Vol 7, Issue 1, Jan-Jun, 2016 17 Formulation and Evaluation of Orodispersible Tablets of Granisetron Hydrochloride Using Agar as Natural Super disintegrants ABSTRACT The main aim of the study was to develop orodispersible tablets of Granis- etron hydrochloride a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (an antivomiting agent) for improving patient compliance, especially those of paediatric and geriatric categories with difficulties in swallowing. In the wet granulation method orodispersible (ORD) tablets were prepared using natural super disintegrants Agar agar. The prepared batches of tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, wetting time, in vitro dispersion time, drug content and in vitro dissolution studies. The tablet formulation batch F4 was considered as the overall best formulation (with an in vitro drug release study of 99.09%). Short term stability studies (at 40 ± 2ºC/75 ± 5% RH) on the best formulation indicated that there no significant chang- es in drug content. From the FTIR study indicated that there are no drug excipient interactions. Key words: Granisetron hydrochloride, Orodispersible tablets, FTIR spec- troscopy, Wetting time, In vitro drug release study, Stability studies. Correspondence: Chinmaya Keshari Sahoo, Department of Pharmaceutics, Osmania University College of Technology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P. INDIA. Phone no: 918688410043 E-mail: sahoo.chinmaya83@gmail.com DOI : 10.5530/phm.2016.7.3 INTRODUCTION e advances in novel drug delivery systems for designing dosage forms like orodispersible tablets 1,2 for convenient to be manufactured and administered free side effects, offering immediate release and enhance bioavailability so as to achieve better patient compliance. Oral drug delivery systems preferably tablets are most widely used dosage forms for being compact offering uniform dose and painless delivery. But elderly and paediatrics patients suffer in dysphagia because physi- ological changes associated with those groups. 3,4 Generally dysphagia is observed nearly 35% of population and associated with a number of conditions like parkinosonism, mental disabilities, motion sickness, un- consciousness, unavailability of water etc. To overcome such problems certain innovative drug delivery system 5,6 like mouth dissolving tablets have been developed. ese are novel dosage forms which dissolve in saliva within few seconds when put on tongue. e orally disintegrating tablets are also called as orodispersible tablets, quick disintegrating tab- lets, fast disintegrating tablets, porous tablets, rapimelts. e mouth dis- solving tablets are absorbed from the mouth, pharynx and oesophagus as saliva passes down into the stomach. 7 e solution containing active ingredients is absorbed through gastrointestinal epithelium to reach the target and produce desired effect. In these cases the bioavailability of drugs are significantly greater than those observed from conventional solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. 8 Granisetron hydro- chloride is a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist which has effect on controlling nausea and vomiting. Granisetron hydrochloride undergoes hepatic first pass metabolism with a bioavailability of 60% and terminal elimination half life between 3 to 14 hrs aſter oral administration. 9 In the present study orodispersible tablets of Granisetron hydrochloride were designed using wet granulation method using various excipients and agar agar as natural superdisintegrants with prime objective arriv- ing of a cost effective product. 10 MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials Granisetron hydrochloride was received as a giſt sample from Suzikem Labs Pvt Ltd., cherlapally, A.P, Mannitol and Aerosil were obtained as giſts from Aurobindo labs Pvt Ltd, A.P. sodium saccharin, magnesium stearate, talc, micro crystalline cellulose, and potassium dihydrogen- o-phosphate were procured from SD fine chem. Ltd Mumbai. Sodium hydroxide, sodium lauryl sulphate and methanol were procured from Qualigens fine chemicals Mumbai. Drug excipient studies Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) Assessment of possible incompatibilities between an active drug substance and different excipients forms an important part of the prefor- mulation stage during the development of a dosage form. e use of FTIR technique allows pointing out the implication of the different functional groups of drug and excipients by analyzing the significant changes in the shape and position of the absorbance bands. In this method individual samples as well as the mixture of drug and excipients were ground mixed thoroughly with potassium bromide (1:100) for 3-5 mins in a mortar and compressed into disc by applying pressure of 5 tons for 5 mins in hydraulic press. e pellet was kept in the sample holder and scanned from 4000 to 400 cm -1 in FTIR spectrophotometer. en the characteristics peaks were obtained of all sample as well as mixtures. Preparation of orodispersible tablets Accurately weighed quantities of ingredients mentioned in Table 1 were passed through sieve no. 12. and agar agar was passed through sieve no.20. All the ingredients lubricant magnesium stearate and talc Chinmaya Keshari Sahoo 1* , Nalini Kanta Sahoo 2 , Madhusmita Sahu 2 , Alok kumar Moharana 3 , Deepak Kumar Sarangi 3 1 Department of Pharmaceutics, Osmania University College of Technology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P. INDIA. 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality assurance, MNR College of Pharmacy, Fasalwadi, Sangareddy, Medak, Telangana, INDIA. 3 Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality assurance, Omega College of Pharmacy, Edulabad, Ghatkesar, Ranga Reddy Dist-500388, INDIA.