Design and in vitro evaluation of novel sustained- release matrix tablets for lornoxicam based on the combination of hydrophilic matrix formers and basic pH-modifiers.

The short half-life of lornoxicam, a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, makes the development of sustained-release (SR) forms extremely advantageous. However, due to its weak acidic nature, its release from SR delivery systems is limited to the lower gastrointestinal tract which consequently leads to a delayed onset of its analgesic action. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to develop lornoxicam SR matrix tablets that provide complete drug release that starts in the stomach to rapidly alleviate the painful symptoms and continues in the intestine to maintain protracted analgesic effect as well as meets the reported SR specifications. The proposed strategy was based on preparing directly compressed hydroxypropylmethylcellulose matrix tablets to sustain lornoxicam release. Basic pH-modifiers, either sodium bicarbonate or magnesium oxide, were incorporated into these matrix tablets to create basic micro-environmental pH inside the tablets favorable to drug release in acidic conditions. All the prepared matrix tablets containing basic pH-modifiers showed acceptable physical properties before and after storage. Release studies, performed in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids used in sequence to mimic the GI transit, demonstrate the possibility of sustaining lornoxicam release by combining hydrophilic matrix formers and basic pH-Modifiers to prepare tablets that meet the reported sustained-release specifications.