A. Geetha Lakshmi

Desloratadine is an antagonist at histamine H1 receptors, and an antagonist at all subtypes of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. It has a long-lasting effect and in moderate and low doses, does not cause drowsiness because it does not readily enter the central nervous system. The present study is an attempt to formulate and evaluate the fast dissolving tablets of  Desloratadine. Fast dissolving tablets were prepared by direct compression after masking the bitter taste of drug by solid dispersion method with the aid of superdisintegrants. Seven formulations were developed using two different superdisintegrants in varying concentrations in such a way that total weight of the tablet remains the same. The drug-polymer incompatibility was ruled out by FTIR studies. All the formulated tablets were subjected for pre and post-compression evaluation parameters. A comparison of in vitro drug release of best formulation along with F1 formulation having no superdisintegrants is carried out. All the formulated tablets were shown satisfactory results which complies with official limits. Among the seven formulations, F7 was selected as the best formulation as its wetting time was 33 seconds, disintegration time was 29 seconds and %CDR after 8 minutes was 100.1%. F7 was found to be stable at 25°C ± 2 °C,  60°C ± 5°C and 40 °C ± 2 °C and 75 ± 5 % RH . Formulated tablets containing high concentration of croscarmellose sodium are better and effective than conventional tablets to meet patient compliance, give fast relief from allergy and cost effective.