Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 22(1), Sep – Oct 2013; nᵒ 47, 257-263 ISSN 0976 – 044X International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net 257 Saini Pradeep, Chakraborty Tulshi, Jain Akash, Chaudhary Jasmine, Saini Vipin M.M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana (Ambala), India. * Corresponding author’s E-mail: pradeepsainipharmacist@gmail.com Accepted on: 17-07-2013; Finalized on: 31-08-2013. ABSTRACT Many patients have difficulty in swallowing tablets or hard gelatine capsules and consequently do not take medication as prescribed especially in case of paediatric and geriatric patients. The objective of present study is to provide a taste masked suspension of macrolide antibiotic i.e. erythromycin using the ion exchange resins which can deliver a Pharmaco- kinetically and Pharmaco- dynamically acceptable dosage form. In the present investigation the bitter taste of erythromycin is masked by using three different resins i.e. Indion-204, Doshion-p-542 and Kyron -T-114. A number of formulations have been prepared by using different ratio of resin with drug i.e.1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 for suitable combination along with a control formulation. The prepared formulation has been evaluated by using the different parameters such as particle size, pH, sedimentation volume, taste, color, In-vitro drug release and stability studies. These studies concluded that our prepared taste masked oral suspension of erythromycin Estolate S7 is easily redispersibility and at pH 1.5 has cumulative % of drug release is 98.1±0.06 within 60 minute. Moreover, the taste evaluation of prepared formulation has been evaluated through spectroscopic methods and palatable evaluation and thereby the macrolide antibiotic could be masked taste for the patient’s compliance. Keywords: Erythromycin, Optimization, Paediatric, Resin, Taste masking. INTRODUCTION uspensions are heterogeneous systems, or more precisely biphasic systems may be defined as coarse dispersions in which insoluble solids are suspended in a liquid medium. A suspension is often chosen as pharmaceutical dosage form for drugs insoluble in water and aqueous fluids at the dosage required for administration and when attempts to solubilise the drug would compromise stability and safety. For oral administration, the taste of a bitter or unpleasant drug can often be masked by choosing an insoluble form of the active drug. Taste masking of liquid formulation present a major challenge because the majority of paediatric preparations are syrups and suspensions. 1 Some pharmaceutical compositions have utilized this concept and suspended the drug at a pH in which it remains insoluble. Erythromycin is produced by a strain of Streptomyces erythraeus and belongs to the macrolide antibiotics. It is basic and readily forms salts with acids but it is the base which is microbiologically active. It was insoluble in water and soluble in 0.1N HCl and organic Solvents. 3 When an ionisable drug reacts with ion exchange resin the drug resin complex formed known as drug resinate. The drug resinate can be made sufficiently stable that does not break down in the mouth so that the patient does not feel taste of drug when it is swallowed. However, when the drugs resinate comes in contact with gastrointestinal fluids, the complex is broken down quickly. Indion-204 4 Appearance: White to pale white or pale cream colour powder free from foreign matter. M atrix: Copolymer of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Solubility: Insoluble in water and in common solvents. Ionic form: Sodium It is a weak acid cation exchange resin. It is used as taste masking agent and tablet disintegrants. It forms a complex with drug, which does not release the drug in saliva, but weak enough to be broken by the hydrochloric acid present in stomach. It is a high molecular weight polymer therefore not absorbed by body tissues and is safe for human. 5 Kyron T-114 4 Resin type: Weak acid cation exchange resin Synonym: Polacrilex resin Matrix type: Cross linked polymethacrylic acid with divinyl benzene Functional group: Carboxylic acid Standard ionic form : H+ A drug polymer complex can be synthesized due to the Bonding between the bitter drug and the polymer thus masking the objectionable bitter taste of the drug. Since the polymer drug complex so formed is tasteless in the mouth but it dissociate in the acidic pH of the stomach, the bioavailability of drug is not affected. Example: Azithromycin, Roxithromycin, Erythromycin. Comparative Study of Resins in the Formulation of Taste M asked Suspension of Erythromycin S Research Article