Design and Optimization of Fast Dissolving Film of Losartan

Losartan potassium is an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) used in the management of hypertension. The purpose of this research work was to formulate a fast dissolving film of Losartan potassium for the treatment of hypertension, by using polymers such as Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) and Maltodextrin in different concentrations.

Films of Losartan potassium were prepared by solvent casting method using polymers such as PVA and Maltodextrin in different ratios. Propylene glycol was used as a plasticizer. Films were subjected to physicochemical characterization such as thickness, weight uniformity, folding endurance, drug content, surface pH study, in vitro drug release, ex vivo permeation study and stability studies.

Films were found to be satisfactory when evaluated for thickness, weight uniformity, in-vitro drug release, folding endurance, drug content and disintegration time. The surface pH of all the films was found to be neutral. The in vitro drug release in optimized formulation F8 was found to be 78.62% in 4 min. The optimized formulation F8 also showed satisfactory pH, drug content (97.12%)), ex vivo permeation (89.42%), effective in vitro drug release (97.93% in 10 min), disintegration time of 24 seconds and satisfactory stability.