Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 7, Issue 8, 317-323Original Article


DEVELOPMENT OPTIMIZATION AND EVALUATION OF EFFERVESCENT TABLETS OF CHLORPHENIRAMINE MALEATE USING BOX BEHNKEN DESIGN

AMIT A. PATEL1, R. H. PARIKH1, TEJAL A. MEHTA*2

1Ramanbhai Patel College of Pharmacy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, CHARUSAT Campus, At & Po: Changa, Ta. Petlad, Dist: Anand, Gujarat, India 388421, 2Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, S. G. Highway, Post: Chandlodia, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 382481
Email: tjshah3@gmail.com

Received: 22 May 2015 Revised and Accepted: 26 Jun 2015


ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of present study was to develop effervescent tablets of Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) for the treatment of dysphasia.

Methods: Effervescent tablets were prepared by direct compression method and were optimized using box behnken design. Amount to sodium bicarbonate (X1), amount of tartaric acid (X2) and amount of fumaric acid (X3) were selected as independent variables, whereas disintegration time (Y1), amount of carbon dioxide (Y2) and drug release in 5 minutes (Y3) were selected as dependent variables. All the batches were also evaluated for general post compression evaluation of tablet such as-weight variation, thickness, friability and hardness. From the results of design batches, best batch was selected and evaluated for in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rabbit model.

Results: The disintegration time ranged from 103.33 ± 0.24 sec to 157.00 ± 0.75 sec while amount of carbon dioxide ranged from 0.26±0.014 g to 2.03±0.056 g in all the design batches. From the results of design batches, batch B4 was selected as optimized batch due to higher amount of released carbon dioxide and faster drug release as compared to other batches. Batch B4 was showing higher AUC and Cmax while lower tmax as compared to drug suspension while performing in vivo study of optimized batch in rabbit model.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the combination of sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid and fumaric acid approach for development of effervescent tablet aids to achieve faster disintegration and faster drug release property for CPM.

Keywords: Effervescent tablet, Chlorpheniramine maleate, Dysphasia, Optimization, Box behnken design.


INTRODUCTION

In dysphagia, patient exhibits a problem in the throat or esophagus which causes difficulty in swallowing. In such condition, food moves back to mouth from the stomach by the muscular tube. Dysphagia can be of two types: oropharyngeal and esophageal. The problem in vacating material into the esophagus from oropharynx is known as oropharyngeal dysphagia. While, problem of passing food downward to the esophagus is known as esophageal dysphagia. Although this disease can be happening to any age of people but found commonly in elderly patient and children. In normal condition, due to throat and esophagus muscles contraction, food can easily move to the stomach. In dysphagia, muscles and nerves which help in movement of food toward stomach could not work properly which may be due to the injury in brain, problem in nervous system, esophageal spasm, inflammation in esophagus etc. Sometimes less quantity of saliva in mouth can also decrease the food movement to stomach. In such condition, only liquid or few solid dosage forms, which can be easily converted into a solution or suspension, are helpful for the treatment. Effervescent tablet is one of the best suitable dosage forms for such type of drugs [1, 2].

Effervescence is described as an expulsion of carbon dioxide gas from a fluid due to chemical reaction. This effect starts when formulation come in contact with water which works as catalyzing agent. Effervescent tablets need to be dissolved in water before administration. The tablet is promptly broken down by releasing carbon dioxide in water. Carbon dioxide produces by effervescent reaction increases the penetration of active substance into the paracellular pathway and consequently their absorption. The effervescent formulation are administered in form of solution, hence it does not come in direct contact with the gastrointestinal tract which makes such dosage forms useful for this kind of patient [3].

H1 antagonists are used for the treatment of allergenic disorders, prurities, common cold, cough, motion sickness, vertigo etc. Parenteral H1 antagonists are used for effective control of violent vertigo, vomiting and acute muscle dystopia. Quick relief can be achieved by administering oral effervescent formulation of H1 antagonist in above mentioned conditions and thus helps in avoiding the invasive route for such conditions. Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) is a   , used in the treatment of allergic condition such as rhinitis, urticarial and hay fever. CPM blocks certain natural histamine that body secretes during allergic reaction and acetylcholine [4, 5]. Dysphagia caused by allergic reactions and lower amount of saliva can be treated by administering CPM effervescent formulation.

Production of effervescent formulation requires higher environmental control with respect to atmospheric moisture. The ingredients, acid and carbonate or bicarbonate sources, used are very sensitive to moisture. In presence of moisture, this combination may lead to a reaction and make the product unstable [6-8]. Preliminary studies were conducted to evaluate different acid sources and the results indicated that the tartaric and fumaric acid is less hygroscopic as compared to citric acid. Development of the effervescent tablets in the present study did not require complicated technology/instruments or specific atmospheric conditions, which ultimately trim down the product cost. The objective of the present study was to prepare and evaluate an effervescent formulation of CPM which provides a quick onset of action and thereby help in treatment of allergic disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials

Chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) was procured as a gift sample from Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ahmedabad. Tartaric acid, fumaric acid, sodium bicarbonate, lactose, sodium benzoate, and sucrose were procured from Merck India Ltd., Mumbai, India. Polyvinyl pyrroledone (PVP) was purchased from Sigma Aldrich, India. All other ingredients and chemicals used in the study were of analytical grade.

Preparation of effervescent tablets

Tartaric acid, fumaric acid, sodium bicarbonate, lactose and sucrose were weight and transferred in double cone mixture (Kalweka, Karnavati Engineering Ltd., India) for 15 min and then passes through a sieve 40#. The powder was compressed to prepare tablets (8 mm diameter) using a rotary tablet compression machine (RIMEK Mini Press II, Make: Karnavati after Engineering, Ltd. India) [9]. Developed tablets were evaluated for different evaluation parameter as per IP [10].

Experimental design

To study the effect of factors, identified during preliminary trials, on the various properties of effervescent tablets, experiments were systematically conducted by employing box behnken design. Design Expert® software (trial version 7.1.2, Stat-Ease, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) was used to graphically express the influence of each factor on the response by generating the response surface plots [11]. The amount of sodium bicarbonate (X1), amount of tartaric acid (X2) and amount of fumaric acid (X3) were selected as independent variables. The dependent response variables measured were disintegration time, amount of carbon dioxide and % drug release after 5 min. The composition of design batches is shown in table 1 and levels of independent variables in coded as well as in actual form is shown in table 2. The polynomial equation created by design is as follows:

Yi=b0+b1X1+b2X2+b3X3+b12X1X2+b23X2X3+b13X1X3 (1)

Where Yi is the dependent variable; b0 is the intercept; b1, b2, b3, b12, b23, b13 are the regression coefficients; and X1, X2 and X3 are the independent variables. All the batches were prepared and evaluated in triplicate (n=3).

Table 1: Composition of effervescent tablets of CPM

Ingredients B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 B13 B14 B15 B16 B17
CPM 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Sodium

Bicarbonate

125 125 125 150 125 125 100 125 125 150 125 150 100 125 100 100 125
Tartaric acid 30 40 30 40 30 30 30 30 20 20 20 30 30 40 40 20 30
Fumaric acid 30 20 30 30 30 30 40 30 20 30 40 20 20 40 30 30 40
Sucrose 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30

Sodium

Benzoate

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

Polyvinyl-

pyrrolidone

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Lactose 65 65 65 30 65 65 80 65 85 50 65 50 100 45 80 100 55
 Total 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300
All the quantities are in mg.

Table 2: Variables and their levels in box-behnken design

Levels
Independent variables Low Medium High
X1= amount of sodium bicarbonate (mg) 100 125 150
X2= amount of tartaric acid (mg) 20 30 40
X3= amount of fumaric acid (mg) 20 30 40
Transformed values -1 0 1
Dependent variables

Y1= disintegration time (sec)

Y2=amount of carbone dioxide (gm)

Y3= Drug release after 5 min (%)

Selection of optimized formulation was done after considering the results of dependent variables of the experimental design batches. The batch with lower disintegration time and higher carbon dioxide and drug release in 5 minutes will be considered as optimized batch. The selected dependent variables are correlated with each other because the higher amount of released carbon dioxide results in faster bursting of tablets and hence lower disintegration time and faster drug release property.

Evaluation of tablet

Post compression evaluation of tablet

Weight variation study of the tablets was performed by accurately weighing the 10 tablets individually using digital weighing balance and calculated the average weight of the tablets. Individual weights of tablets were compared with the average weight of the tablets [10]. Hardness of the tablet was studied using hardness tester (DHT-250, Cambell Electronics Machine, Thermonik) by calculating the force required to split a tablet by compression in the diametric direction. Same instrument was used to measure diameter and thickness of tablets. Friability was measured using Roche friabilator USP at 25 rpm for 4 min [12-14].

Disintegration study

The tablet disintegration time was measured as per pharmacopoeial procedure. The beaker of 250 ml was filled with 200 ml of water and one tablet was added in the beaker. The time required for a tablet to disintegrate was determined using visual observation [12-14].

Amount of carbon dioxide

The amount of carbon dioxide was measured by the method developed by G. Rajalakshmi et al. 10% sulfuric acid solution was prepared in distilled water. 100 ml of prepared sulfuric acid solution was taken in a beaker of 250 ml and weight of beaker was taken. One tablet was added in a beaker and tablet was observed for complete release of carbon dioxide from the tablet. Again weight of the beaker was determined and the difference in weight before and after release of carbon dioxide shows the amount of carbon dioxide generated [15, 16].

In vitro dissolution

The dissolution study was executed in 500 ml of 0.01 M HCl buffer media at 37oC ± 2oC using USP apparatus II (TDT08L, Dissolution Tester (USP), Electrolab) at 50 rpm. Samples were withdrawn at time intervals of 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 min. The same amount of fresh dissolution medium was replaced after withdrawal of the sample. Drug content was analyzed at 264 nm by UV double beam spectrophotometer (UV 1800 Shimadzu Scientific Instrument, Japan). The cumulative percent of drug released was calculated using a calibration equation generated from the standard curve and plotted as percent cumulative drug released versus time [10].

In vivo study

The in vivo pharmacokinetic study was carried out on the rabbit animal model (Protocol No: RPCP/IAEC/2013-2014/R-28). In vivo pharmacokinetic study was performed by dividing the animals in 2 groups (n=6). Animals were fasted over night and were placed in a restraining device (rabbit holder) before administration of reference (drug suspension in water) and test (optimized batch) formulations. Formulations were administered using a feeding needle. Blood samples were collected from a marginal ear vein and collected with the help of a syringe attached to a hypodermic needle. For smooth blood collection, syringe was removed from the needle and cannula was closed to prevent blood clotting. The cannula was flushed with sodium citrate solution before closing to prevent blood clotting. 1 ml of blood was withdrawn at following time interval of 30, 60, 90,1210,150 and 180 min through the cannula into 2 ml micro centrifuge tubes which contain 0.5 ml of sodium citrate solution [17].

Chromatographic conditions

Reversed phase HPLC method was used to estimate CPM in plasma samples using sensitive and validated Shimadzu LC-20AT HPLC system with SPD-20A detector (Shimadzu). The CPM was analyzed at 262 nm using UV-Visible detector. Methanol: phosphate buffer (pH 2.8) as a ratio of 60:40 was used as mobile phase and was filtered and degassed before use. The mobile phase was pumped at 1 ml/min flow rate [18].

Estimation of CPM in blood sample

Plasma aliquots of 0.5 ml was taken from rabbit plasma for analysis of CPM and transferred into a 2-mL centrifuge tube. In the same centrifuge tube, 1.5 ml of methanol was added and vortexes using a vortex mixer for 10 min at 3,000 rpm. After centrifugation, organic layer was separated and evaporated at 37 °C to get dry residue. 250 μl of mobile phase was added to dissolve the residue and from that 20μl was injected for estimation of drug content.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Post compression evaluation of tablet

The results of weight variation study, shown in table 3, were not showing a significant difference in the weight of individual tablet from the average value. Average diameter and thickness of the tablets were mentioned in table 3. The diameter was found in the range of 7.44±0.014 mm to7.89±0.009 mm and the thickness was between 3.30±0.012 mm to 3.95±0.008 mm.

The hardness and friability were shown in table 3 for all the formulation. Hardness was found in a range of 1.16±0.016 kg/cm2 to 3.94±0.008 kg/cm2 where as friability was found in a range of 0.45±0.010 % to 0.68±0.009% which is (that is less than 1%) in the acceptable limit.

Table 3: Post compression evaluation of design batches

Batch no.

Tablet weight

(mg, n=10)

Thickness

(mm, n=10)

Diameter

(mm, n=10)

Hardness

(kg/cm2, n=5)

Friability

(%, n=5)

Drug content

(%, n=5)

B1 301.00±0.82 3.87±0.017 7.77±0.09 2.86±0.012 0.68±0.009 100.42±0.289
B2 293.33±1.25 3.36±0.009 7.76±0.016 2.06±0.016 0.67±003 99.67±0.173
B3 301.00±0.82 3.34±0.017 7.87±0.019 2.57±0.029 0.66±0.019 98.75±0.346
B4 301.33±0.94 3.95±0.008 7.84±0.009 1.76±0.009 0.67±0.004 99.97±0.577
B5 298.67±0.47 3.44±0.012 7.44±0.014 2.85±0.029 0.66±0.010 100.75±0.173
B6 305.67±0.94 3.56±0.016 7.75±0.005 3.64±0.026 0.45±0.012 98.75±0.115
B7 300.67±0.94 3.32±0.012 7.75±0.009 1.95±0.022 0.45±0.316 100.33±0.231
B8 302.67±0.47 3.45±0.021 7.76±0.014 3.94±0.008 0.66±0.216 99.42±0.289
B9 297.67±0.47 3.55±0.014 7.84±0.009 2.16±0.012 0.66±0.008 100.75±0.115
B10 298.67±1.25 3.73±0.017 7.99±0.05 3.72±0.022 0.66±0.014 98.67±0.577
B11 300.33±0.47 3.59±0.012 7.77±0.00 1.30±0.012 0.66±0.017 98.42±0.321
B12 301.67±0.47 3.30±0.012 7.74±0.019 2.53±0.021 0.45±0.010 101.00±0.251
B13 302.33±1.25 3.46±0.012 7.74±0.009 2.65±0.012 0.45±0.316 99.83±0.404
B14 298.00±0.82 3.56±0.009 7.84±0.019 1.16±0.016 0.66±0.008 99.67±0.252
B15 301.67±0.47 3.42±0.019 7.89±0.005 2.16±0.012 0.67±0.004 99.42±0.451
B16 303.00±0.82 3.44±0.008 7.89±0.009 1.66±0.017 0.64±0.024 101.08±0.090
B17 295.33±0.47 3.44±0.012 7.86±0.026 2.86±0.012 0.62±0.014 100.17±0.755

Table 4: Formulation of effervescent tablets using box-behnkendesign

Batch code X1 X2 X3

Y1 (Disintegration time)

(sec, n=3)

Y2 (amount of carbon dioxide)

(g, n=3)

Y3 (Drug release after 5 min)

(%,n=3)

B1 -1 -1 0 143.66±0.603 0.27±0.072 94.3±0.398
B2 1 -1 0 150±0.998 0.33±0.062 97.06±0.875
B3 -1 1 0 103.33±0.236 0.27±0.053 95.4±0.577
B4 1 1 0 119.83±0.747 1.26±0.077 97.49±0.407
B5 -1 0 -1 148.5±0.292 0.81±0.24 95.39±0.416
B6 1 0 -1 142.66±0.490 0.34±0.068 97.19±0.458
B7 -1 0 1 145±0.399 0.26±0.014 96.06±0.529
B8 1 0 1 126.17±0.514 0.27±0.019 97.31±0.522
B9 0 -1 -1 157±0.748 0.27±0.025 92.05±0.665
B10 0 1 -1 145.17±0.564 1.1±0.021 94.82±0.769
B11 0 -1 1 146.83±0.608 0.27±0.058 95.02±0.589
B12 0 1 1 119.04±0.441 1.75±0.058 96.82±0.346
B13 0 0 0 124.33±0.625 2.03±0.056 95.231±0.513
B14 0 0 0 121.89±0.558 1.96±0.068 93.93±0.643
B15 0 0 0 123.83±0.517 1.91±0.035 94.23±0.658
B16 0 0 0 123.33±0.522 1.96±0.092 93.93±0.520
B17 0 0 0 122.17±0.847 1.83±0.040 95.92±0.501

Data analysis

Results of experimental design batches (B1 to B17) were shown in table 4. Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the amount of sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid and fumaric acid to get the faster disintegration time and a higher amount of carbon dioxide and drug release after 5 min. The results of statistical analysis for design batches were obtained by Design Expert® software and were shown in table 4. The polynomial equation generated for each response by software was described in equation 1-3 and response surface plot for each response was shown in fig. (1-3).

Effect of disintegration time

The disintegration time ranged from 103.33±0.24 sec to 157.00±0.75 sec for all the formulations.

Disintegration time (Y1) = 123.111-0.23*X1-13.76*X2-7.04*X3+ 2.54* X1X2-3.25X1X3-3.99* X2 X3+2.33X12+3.76X22+15.14 X32(1)

The polynomial equation depicts that the magnitude of coefficient of X1, X2 and X3 shows the negative effect which means that as the amount of all the three parameters increased, disintegration time is decreased. This might be due to faster formation of carbon dioxide because of the higher amount of these ingredients. X2 and X3 had shown a significant effect on the (p<0.05, table 5) disintegration time. The overall model was significant because the p value was<0.05. Similar results can be seen in the 3D surface plots (fig. (1)). Similar types of results were observed by Jacob et al. [14] while developing effervescent tablets of Glibenclamide. They observed that as the amount of disintegrating agent (sodium carbonate and acids) increased in the formulation, disintegration of tablets become fast.

Fig. 1: 3D Surface plot for disintegration time


Table 5: Results of p value and regression coefficient

p values of coefficients
Responses b0 b1 b2
Disintegration time 0.0169 0.9372 0.0017
Amount of carbon dioxide 0.0045 0.5433 0.0099
Drug release in 5 min 0.0698 0.0261 0.0666

Amount of carbon dioxide

The amount of carbon dioxide ranged from 0.26 ± 0.014 gm to 2.03±0.056 gm for all the formulations B1 to B17.

Amount of CO2 (Y2) = 1.94+0.074*X1+0.41*X2+3.750E-003*X3+0.23* X1 X2+0.12* X1 X3+0.16* X2 X3-0.92X12-0.49X22-0.60X32(2)

The polynomial equation depicts that the magnitude of coefficient of X1, X2 and X3 shows positive effect and X2 had a significant effect (p<0.05, table 5) on the amount of carbon dioxide. The overall model was significant because the p value was<0.05. The coefficient value of X1, X2 and X3 were nearly similar. The values of interactive term for X1, X2 and X3 were positive. From the 3D surface plot, as showed in fig. (2), it can also be concluded that the amount of carbon dioxide increases with increase in the amount of sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid and fumaric acid. Similar type of results were obtained by Amela et al. [16] and Yanze et al. [19] while developing the effervescent formulation containing citric acid and sodium bicarbonate.

Fig. 2: 3D Surface plot for amount of carbon dioxide

Drug release after 5 min

Drug release after 5 min was obtained from92.05 ± 0.67% to 97.49 ± 0.41% for all the formulations B1 to B17.

Drug release after 5 min. (Y3) = 94.65+0.99*X1+0.76* X2+0.72* X3-0.17* X1 X2-0.14* X1 X3-0.24* X2 X3+1.61X12-0.20X22+0.23X32(3)

The polynomial equation depicts that the magnitude of coefficient of X1, X2 and X3 shows positive effect and X1 had shown a significant effect (p<0.05, table 5) on drug release after 5 min. 3D surface plots (fig. (3)) suggested that the higher amount of tartaric acid, fumaric acid and sodium bicarbonate gave faster drug release. All the batches were showing more than 90% drug releases after 5 minutes. Drug release profile of the design batches is shown in fig. (4). Tekade et al. [20] made the effervescent tablet of diclofenac sodium using the sodium bicarbonate with citric acid was showing drug release. Use of two acid sources may be the reason for faster drug release.

Fig. 3: 3D surface plot for drug release after 5 min


Fig. 4: Drug release of design batches

From the results of design batches, batch B4 was selected as optimized batch due to higher amount of released carbon dioxide and faster drug release as compared to other batches. Disintegration time, amount of release carbon dioxide and drug release in 5 minutes for batch B4 were 119.83 ± 0.78 sec, 1.26 ± 0.58 and 97.49 ± 0.41% respectively. This batch was further subjected to in vivo study using a rabbit model.

In vivo study

Standard solution of CPM was prepared in the mobile phase of methanol: phosphate buffer (pH6.8) with a ratio of 60:40. Different dilutions were made and 20 µl was injected to HPLC system. Same process was done in triplicate to measure the reproducibility of results. The results showed good correlation between the concentration of CPM and peak area, and linear relationships in plasma concentration ranging from 500 ng/ml. to 5500 ng/ml. The method used for analysis was reproducible with good precision which can be concluded from its percentage accuracy for intra-day and inter-day studied batches and was complied with the limit of 85-115%.

The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (tmax), area under the drug plasma concentration-time curve up to 2 h post-administration (AUC 0-2 h) and the elimination half-life (t1/2) was calculating using non compartmental analysis and are shown in table 6. From the fig.(5), tmax was higher in case of effervescent tablet solution of batch B4 compared to drug suspension.

Table 6: Pharmacokinetics parameters of reference and optimized batch formulations

Parameter Reference Optimized batch (B4)
AUC (0-180 min) 71.4 73.86
tmax(min) 90 60
Cmax(ng/ml) 2.74 2.76

Fig. 5: Drug release in rabbit plasma

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that the combination of sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid and fumaric acid approach for development of effervescent tablet aids to achieve faster disintegration and faster drug release property for CPM. The Box-Behnken design was employed for the optimization and studies the effect of process parameters and their interaction on the effervescent formulation. Optimized batch B4 was showing higher amount of released carbon dioxide and faster drug release as compared to other batches. Batch B4 was also showing a higher AUC and Cmax while lower tmax as compared to drug suspension while performing in vivo study of optimized batch in rabbit model. Thus, it could be concluded that the combination of acids and sodium bicarbonate helps to develop effervescent tablets. Use of experimental design might be helpful to develop effervescent formulation with desired characteristics like faster disintegration and drug release with minimum efforts in the shortest time.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Authors are thankful to Om Prakash Sharma for his kind support in editing of manuscript. We are thankful to Cadila pharmaceutical ltd for providing the gift sample of drug. We are also thankful to the Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University Ahmedabad and Ramanbhai Patel College of Pharmacy & Charusat University for providing necessary facilities for research work.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

Declared None

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