| Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic and antipyretic properties. It is used for the relief of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, both of acute flares and longterm management of the disease. Naproxen is available in 250 mg and 500 mg tablets but is not available as a chewable or a palatable liquid. The major disadvantage of formulating Naproxen into a chewable is its inherent bitter taste.; Therefore, a spray dried process was utilized to tastemask Naproxen with various polymers, in order to overcome its bitter taste, so that it could be formulated as a chewable. The best choice of polymer was determined by conducting a series of contact angle value evaluations on compressed discs of Naproxen. It was found that the higher the contact angle value of the aqueous polymer solution (low wettability) the better is the coat of the polymer onto the drug, thus tastemasking the drug effectively. Eudragit RS 30D proved to be the best choice of polymer for tastemasking Naproxen, since it provided the most uniform and complete coating of the various aqueous-based polymeric systems evaluated.; The coated Naproxen crystals were incorporated with the tablet components (Mannitol) and directly compressed using conventional tablet technology and equipment. Naproxen was released rapidly from the eroding matrix of the PVP, Hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose and Sodium CMC polymers. Erosion was achieved due to the gel formation of the cellulose polymers which protect the chewable interior from dissolving and disintegrating upon initial wetting hydration. PVP polymers release Naproxen rapidly, whereas the Methocel polymers and Eudragit RS 30D retarded the release of Naproxen. Therefore, depending on the type of release required for the chewable, the appropriate polymer could be chosen. |
