Development and Evaluation of Valsartan Film Coated Tablets K.Kannan*, Ramya Krishna, M.Manikandan, S.Selvamuthukumar, R.Manavalan Department of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar – 608 002. Abstract Valsartan is a FDA approved drug for the treatment of hypertension belongs to a class of drug known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, which helps to control high blood pressure. Angiotensin II is a substance in the body that increases blood pressure. Valsartan works by blocking the effect of angiotensin II, as a result, blood vessels relaxes and blood pressure is lowered. The aim of the present study is to formulate and evaluate immediate release tablets of Valsartan. Preformulation studies were performed prior to compression. Tablets were formulated by direct compression, wet granulation and slugging techniques. The fabricated tablets were evaluated for various pre compressional parameters like angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index, Hausner’s ratio and post compressional parameters like average weight, thickness, hardness, friability, assay, disintegration time and dissolution studies. Comparatively, slugging technique exhibited the good flow property than direct compression technique. The stability studies were carried out for the optimized batch for six months. The results of the present study showed that among all the formulations, F8 was better in all terms of pre compression and post compression parameters and showed comparably a good dissolution profile with that of the marketed product. Keywords: Valsartan, Hypertension, Angiotension II, Slugging technique, Immediate release. INTRODUCTION The goal of any drug delivery system is to provide a therapeutic amount of drug to the proper site in the body and then maintain the desired drug concentration [1]. Oral drug delivery is the most desirable and preferred method of administering therapeutic agents for their systemic effects [2, 3]. For many substances, conventional immediate release formulation provide clinically effective therapy maintaining the required balance of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles with an acceptable level of safety to the patients [4]. Figure 1: Chemical structure of Valsartan Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic adult illnesses today and cannot be cured, but can be controlled. The pharmacological treatment for control of hypertension utilizes various drug therapies such as single doses or associations of diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor (AT1) antagonist (ARA) [5,6]. Valsartan (VAL) is a potent and specific competitive antagonist of the angiotensin-II AT1-receptor [7, 8] by blocking the action of angiotensin. Valsartan dilates blood vessels and reduces blood pressure [9]. Valsartan (VAL) is chemically 3-methyl-2-[pentanoyl-[[4-[2-(2H-tetrazoyl-5- yl)phenyl]phenyl]methyl]amino] butanoic acid is an orally active specific angiotensin II receptor blocker effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients [9]. Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). Angiotensin II is the principal pressor agent of the renin angiotensin system, with effects that include vasoconstriction, stimulation of synthesis and release of aldosterone, cardiac stimulation and renal reabsorption of sodium. Valsartan blocks the vasoconstricton and aldosterone secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor in many tissues, such as vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. Its action is therefore independent of the pathways for angiotensin II synthesis [10, 11]. Formulation of potent drug molecules as a dosage form still draws continuous interest and challenges against optimization towards pharmacokinetic parameters like absorption, on set of action, bio-availability and also economic factors. The main objective is to formulate an oral solid dosage form of valsartan tablets which is considered to be a stable with robust quality along with reduced cost and pharmaceutically equivalent to that of the marketed product for the treatment of hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS Valsartan (Dr. Reddy’s laboratories, India) was received as a gift sample. Lactose monohydrate (Signet pharma agencies, Mumbai), Microcrystalline cellulose (Signet pharma agencies, Mumbai), PVP K-30 (Boai Nky pharmaceuticals, India), Crospovidone XL (Anshul Agencies, India), Aerosil (Carboit samnol pharma agencies, India), Magnesium stearate (Signet pharma agencies, Mumbai), talc (Signet pharma K.Kannan et al /J. Pharm. Sci. & Res. Vol.4(6), 2012, 1866 - 1871 1866