Development and Optimization of Fast Dispersible Flurbiprofen 100 mg Tablets by Central Composite Design

The aim of the present study was to develop and optimize fast dispersible flurbiprofen tablets using central composite design (Design Expert (R)). Nine different formulations (F1-F9) were manufactured through direct compression method. Tablets were compressed using directly compressible excipients i.e. (X-1) ludipress (12-63 %), (X-2) crosscarmellose (Ac-di-sol) (0.78-6 %) with five levels to assess two different responses i.e. disintegration time (R-1) and hardness (R-2). Aspartame was selected as a sweetener to improve the palatable feel. Quality assessment of dispersible tablets of F1-F9 was carried out using several compendial and non-compendial testings and the results were found to be in adequate limits. Among nine formulations F5 was selected as the best optimized formulation on the basis of it's different pharmaceutically important features. F5 was having tablet weight of 121.72 +/- 0.67 mg, with rapid disintegration time i.e. 17 s and excellent % dissolution which was 100.71 +/- 0.91 %, also having 100.50 +/- 030 % drug content. Also actual values of disintegration time and hardness were found to be in excellent correlation with predicted values. Fast dispersible flurbiprofen tablets were satisfactorily manufactured by direct compression method using RSM technique which was useful in exploring the consequences of different variables on responses.