Formulation and Evaluation of Dicyclomine Hydrochloride Matrix Tablets for Colon Specific Drug Delivery

Dicyclomine hydrochloride is an anti-spasmodic and anti-cholinergic which is used in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The present study is to develop colon targeted drug delivery for Dicyclomine Hydrochloride using natural polysaccharide as carrier. Matrix tablets containing various proportions of Xanthan Gum (20–40%) were prepared using starch paste as binder. The tablets were evaluated for uniformity of weight, thickness, diameter, hardness, friability and drug content. The tablets were further subjected to in vitro drug release studies in 0.1N Hydrochloric Acid (pH1.2) for 2 hrs and in Phosphate Buffer solution (pH6.8) for 24 hrs. The effect of Pancreatin on the drug release was also studied. The results indicated that the drug release was insignificant for first 2 hrs followed by prolonged release for 24 hrs. Among the three formulations F1 containing 20% of Xanthan Gum was found to be suitable for colon targeting.