Acta Pharm. 50 (2000) 121-130

Use of Carbopols - sodium carboxymethylcellulose admixtures in the formulation of bioadhesive metronidazole tablets

EMMANUEL C. IBEZIM,¹ ANTHONY A. ATTAMA,¹  IFEYINWA C. DIMGBA ¹ 
and   SABINUS I. OFOEFULE^2* 

¹Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
²Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Admixtures containing Carbopols 940, 941 and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) were assessed for bioadhesive delivery of metronidazole. The bioadhesive properties of the admixtures were estimated by using the adhesion of polymer coated glass beads on a biological tissue and the modified Lecomte Du Nouy tensiometer. The rheological behaviours of the polymers and their admixtures were studied as well. The bioadhesive, swelling and release characteristics of tablet compacts formulated with the polymers and their admixtures, which contained metronidazole, were also determined. Results obtained indicated that although all single polymers and their admixtures had high bioadhesive potentials, Carbopol 940 and 941 admixture (2:1) showed the best performance and SCMC/Carbopol 940 admixture (2:1) exhibited the least bioadhesive strength.

Keywords: bioadhesion, Carbopols, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, metronidazole