Design and optimization of hydrodynamically balanced oral in-situ gel of lamotrigine

In-situ gel formulations were prepared by using different concentrations of sodium alginate, calcium carbonate, trisodium citrate and release retardant polymers. pH triggered ionic gelation is the mechanism involved in the present study. Taguchi L9 OA experimental design was employed for the optimization of formulations. All the formulations were subjected to various evaluation parameters. Taguchi formulations F2 and F6 were found to release the drug for up to 7 hrs hence these formulations were optimized. The formulations were found to follow First order drug release kinetics, the drug release mechanism for both formulations were found to be follow Korsemayer peppas drug release mechanism. From the values of release component “n” it can be concluded that both formulations have fickian diffusional release mechanism. Gastroretentive X-ray imaging study on Albino rabbit demonstrated that it was able to float in the stomach for more than 4hrs. The hydrodynamically balanced oral in-situ gel of lamotrigine could be an effective dosage form which remains buoyant and overcome the cyclical effects of the conventional tablets and sustain the drug release for up to 7 hrs.