Application of D-Optimal Study Design with Contour Surface Response for Designing Sustained Release Gliclazide Matrix Tablets

An optimized formulation of a sustained release tablet of Gliclazide was developed. The use of Doptimal design with a polynomial statistical model to analyze dissolution data reduced the number of laboratory tests required to obtain an optimal dosage form. The final formulation contained 22 mg of Methocel®E15LV, 16.5 mg Methocel®E15 and 10.0 mg of Dibasic Calcium Phosphate per 30 mg Gliclazide sustained release tablet. Dissolution studies performed on tablets from 5000 tablet test batches released greater than 90 percent of loaded drug in eight hours. Drug release from the optimized tablets followed a pattern more closely similar to zero-order than other mechanisms of drug release tested. Storage of tablets in accelerated and ambient conditions for 6 and 12 months respectively did not alter any of the physico-chemical properties, drug release or the drug release rate compared to initial observations and dissolution data of the prepared tablets. The addition of potassium phosphate and monosodium phosphate to the tablet reduced the effect pH has on Gliclazide dissolution compared to the commercially available product.