Solid Dispersion Method for Design of Donepezil Orodispersible Tablets: Formulation & Characterization

Donepezil HCl is an anti Alzheimer’s drug of the acetylcholinesterase class. It is widely used in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and to control dementia. Orodispersable Tablets (ODTs) containing Donepezil HCl was prepared using super-disintegrant (croscarmellose sodium) by direct compression method using solid dispersion technique to mask the taste of the drug. Three types of excipient were used to mask the taste namely Mannitol, PEG 6000 and PVP K 30 in three different ratios (i.e. 1:1, 1:2, 1:3) using solvent evaporation method in solid dispersion technique. The optimized formulation shows the minimum disintegration time of 50 sec and release maximum amount of drug in 10 min. Short term stability studies indicated no significant changes in hardness, friability, in vitro disintegration time, drug content and in vitro drug release.