Film-coated enteric tablet formulation of ketorolac tromethamine

Abstract

A great majority of polymers used for pharmaceutical film-coating purposes have been derivatives of cellulose or methacrylate copolymers (Eudragit series) in most recent studies. The type and frequency of the ester substituents in the chemical structure of these polymers determines their water permeability and pH-solubility characteristics; therefore, different members of the series may be employed for taste-masking or as enteric-coating agents or dissolution rate-controlling membranes in sustained-release dosage forms. Ketorolac tromethamine (KT) is a non-steroidal drug with potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity and is absorbed rapidly (T(max) < 1.0 hr) with an efficiency of > 87% following oral and intramuscular administration. The most frequent adverse effects occurring with KT are gastrointestinal disturbances such as peptic ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding. For this reason, enteric-coated film tablets of KT were prepared in this study by the spray technique. Eudragit S-100 and L-100 were selected as coating materials. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 was used as a plastifying agent. Core tablets of KT were prepared by the direct compression technique. Tablet specifications were determined and evaluated statistically.