ABSTRACT:
Background: Cefixime trihydrate is a third generation cephalosporin with a broad spectrum bactericidal activity. It usually requires frequent dosing due to its short biological half life, poor bioavailability, and first pass metabolism. Methods: Oral floating tablets of cefixime trihydrate was formulated using cross-linked polymers like chitosan and sodium alginate, gas generating agent sodium bicarbonate, Xanthan gum, lactose, and carbopol. The tablets were compressed by potassium bromide press and evaluated with different parameters like average weight, thickness, diameter, hardness, friability, drug content, in-vitro buoyancy study, swelling characteristics, scanning electron microscopy, and kinetic release data. Results: The formulated floating tablets showed good physiochemical properties. The kinetic profile show that the drug release follow a mixed zero order and first order kinetics and well fits with Higuchis model and followed by non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. The formulations F8 and F9 showed higher swelling index and maximum drug release compared to others. Formulations F9 was found to be stable at 45oC and 75% RH for a period of 21 days. Conclusion: From the study, it is evident that a promising gas-powered controlled release floating tablets of Cefixime can be developed to increase gastric residence time and thereby increasing its bioavailability.