Design and Evaluation of Ondansetron Hydrochloric Floating Tablets

Abstract

Ondansetron HCl functions as a competitive antagonist of serotonin type 3 receptors. It is utilized effectively in managing nausea and vomiting induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy agents, such as cisplatin, and has been noted for its anxiolytic and neuroleptic effects. Gastroretentive dosage forms are specifically engineered to remain in the gastric region for extended periods, thereby significantly enhancing the gastric residence time of medications. This prolonged retention in the stomach improves bioavailability, minimizes drug wastage, and enhances the solubility of compounds that exhibit lower solubility in high pH conditions. Gastroretention facilitates improved availability of innovative products, offering new therapeutic options and considerable advantages for patients. Floating tablets of Ondansetron HCl were developed and assessed using various evaluation criteria. The results from in vitro release studies were plotted as cumulative percentage release against time. These findings suggested that the release rate was constrained by the dissolution rate of the drug particles and the erosion of the polymer matrix. The in vitro drug release profiles for each tablet batch (F1 to F6) were conducted, revealing that batches F1, F2, and F3 released approximately 90% of the drug after 24 hours.