Factorial Study on the Evaluation of Formulation Variables on the Dissolution Rate of Etoricoxib Tablets

Abstract

The individual main and combined effects of commonly used binders, disintegrants and β- cyclodextrin on the dissolution rate of etoricoxib tablets were evaluated in a 2³ factorial study. Etoricoxib tablets were formulated employing selected combinations of binder, disintegrant and β-cyclodextrin as per 2³ factorial design and the tablets were evaluated for various physical properties, dissolution rate (k₁) and dissolution efficiency (DE₁₀). Dissolution parameters (K₁ and DE₁₀) were subjected to ANOVA of factorial design. The individual main effects of binder, disintegrant and β-cyclodextrin on the dissolution rate (K₁) were significant (p < 0.05). Whereas all combined (or interaction) effects were not significant (p > 0.05). The individual main effects of binders and β-cyclodextrin on the dissolution efficiency (DE₁₀) were significant (p < 0.05). The main effects of disintegrant and all combined effects on DE₁₀ were not significant (p > 0.05). Tablets formulated employing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) as binder and potato starch as disintegrant gave highest dissolution rate of etoricoxib, 95 % in 1 h.