Objectives: This study implements the design of an innovative dosage form using ultrasound-assisted compression of thermoplastic polymers and the development of controlled release tablets for the oral administration of deferiprone in two doses per day.
Methods: Binary matrix tablets containing deferiprone and thermoplastic polymers have been prepared using an ultrasound-assisted tableting machine. Scanning electron microscopy has been employed to determine a sintering phenomenon of the excipients. Water uptake and drug release studies have been carried out to evaluate the ability of the polymers to control the drug release.
Results: SEM micrographs showed that some polymers underwent the sintering process and the in vitro dissolution test showed good fit of the release data from these tablets to the zero-order kinetic model.
Conclusions: Carbopol 974P and 971P have been selected as matrix forming polymers for the final formulation. The polymer percolation threshold has been exceeded with 15% w/w of polymer. Therefore, sustained release tablets have been developed with only 15% of excipient. This implies that matrix tablets containing 750 mg of API, intended for two administrations a day, can be obtained with a similar weight to those existing in the market containing 500 mg of API for three administrations a day.