Preparation of Nimodipine Sustained-release Tablets by Hot Melt Extrusion Technology

OBJECTIVE To prepare the nimodipine(NMP) sustained-release tablets by applying the melt extrusion technique (HME). METHODS PVP K30, PVPVA 64, PVPVA S-630, Poloxamer188-PVP K30(2∶8) were using as matrix to prepare solid dispersions of NMP by HME. The evaluation of the properties of the dispersions prepared in different ratio of matrix to drug was performed using in vitro dissolution studies. And the dispersions prepared in the matrix were evaluated using XRD. The tablets were prepared with HPMC as the material using direct compression. RESULTS The dissolution accumulative release of NMP-PVPVA 64(1∶5) solid dispersion in 60 min was 98.5%. The release of sustained-release tablets was retarded over 12 h, and the accumulative release of NMP sustained-release tablets in 12 h was 97.1%, fitted in zero-order equation. CONCLUSION Dissolution of NMP can be improved by the HME technique. The formulation of NMP sustained-release tablets was feasible, stable and long acting.