Abstract: 
Sustained release dosage forms are designed to release a drug at a predetermined rate by maintaining a constant drug level for a specific period of time with minimum side effects. The main objective of this research work was to develop and evaluate the sustained release (SR) tablets of Carvedilol. Carvedilol is an antihypertensive agent. It is most effective in management of hypertension and to relive symptoms of angina pectoris. The tablets were prepared relatively small dose of 20 mg by direct compression method using different polymers. The results of both pre and post-compressional parameters were within I.P prescribed limits. The in-vitro drug release were performed in the USP Apparatus-II (Paddle) using 0.5% SLS as a dissolution media at 50 rpm speed and temperature of 37°C±0.5°C upto 12 hrs. Majority of designed sustained-release tablets containing carvedilol with all the other polymers displayed drug release 61.15 to 99.43% drug in 12hrs. This F7 and F9 formulations containing HPMCK15M, MCC, β-Cyclodextrins and xanthan gum. So the HPMCK15M decreasing the solubility of Carvedilol and drug release is 99.80 at 13hrs. FTIR spectral analysis showed that characteristic peak of Carvedilol pure drug were retained in the spectra of all the formulations within the same range indicating the there was no interaction between drug and excipients used. Kinetic study reveals that all formulations follow first order kinetics. The stability studies of the optimized tablet F7 and F9 were carried out according to ICH guidelines. The stability study shows no significant changes in hardness, friability and drug content. Finally concluded that the formulations F7 and F9 showed best release of 99.81% at 13 hrs. Among all the formulations the F7 and F9 formulations is best formulation because it may be presence of both synthetic and natural polymers.

Keywords: Carvedilol, HPMC, Zero Order Release, First Order Release, Xanthan Gum.