Abstract:
The present study was intended towards the formulation and evaluation of immediate release pellets of irbesartan (Irbesartan as model drug has low solubility). Pellets were prepared by the extrusion-spheronization method using co-processed excipient to improve the disintegration time and faster drug release from the pellets. Immediate release pellets were prepared by using co-processed excipient consisting silicon dioxide and calcium stearate. The prepared pellets were evaluated by the flow parameters, friability, disintegration time, FTIR, DSC, SEM and in-vitro dissolution study. It was found that pellet prepared by using co-processed excipient were mechanically stable, good flowability and sphericity. FTIR and DSC study shows that there is no drug excipient interaction; SEM Images shows that co-processed excipient gives spherical pellets. Formulation containing 40% co-processed excipient and 20% MCC shows higher drug release and faster disintegration. Hence, study concludes that co-processed excipient which shows improved disintegration time and faster drug release may be suitable for immediate release pellets.

Keywords: Pellet, Extrusion-spheronization, Irbesartan, Silicon dioxide, Calcium stearate, Disintegration, In-Vitro Dissolution Study.