PREPARATION AND IN–VITRO EVALUATION OF EUDISPERT HYDROGEL RECTAL SUPPOSITORIES CONTAINING SALICYLAMIDE

This article aimed to formulate and evaluate salicylamide suppositories. The prepared formulae with and without different concentrations of gels were tested for hardness, melting time, content uniformity and drug release. The stability of some of the selected formulae was assessed. Salicylamide was formulated as a rectal suppository with emulsifying fatty bases (witepsol H15, W25 and w35) and water – soluble bases (PEG) adopting the molding from a melt technique. Physical characteristics and dissolution profiles of the prepared formulations were determined. The effects of adding gel (eudispert hv) in concentrations of (2, 4 and 6%) were also investigated. Formulations showing high rank order were scaled up for shelflife stability study for one year. The results showed that all the investigated formulae have acceptable physical characteristics with respect to hardness, melting time and uniformity of drug content. The amount of drug released during 120 min. was inversely affected by the melting point of the fatty base. The release from PEG bases was found to be molecular weight dependent. Addition of 2% eudispert gel increased the release from all the investigated formulae. Increasing gel concentration to 4% then to 6% showed different effects on the release. Rectal suppository of salicylamide could be prepared as an alternative to the oral dosage form to circumvent the first - pass metabolism1