Formulation and Evaluation of Pulsatile Release Tablets of Meloxicam

The aim of the present work is to develop a pH and time dependent pulsatile release tablets of Meloxicam for delivering the drug into colon. The system consists of a drug containing core, coated by a combination of natural polymer locust bean gum and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMCK100M) in various proportions to control the onset of release. The whole system was coated with Methacrylic acid copolymers to prevent the drug release in stomach and also to prolong the lag time. Meloxicam was used as a model drug and varying combinations of locust bean gum and HPMCK100M were used to achieve the desired lag time before rapid and complete release of drug in colon takes place. It was observed that the lag time depends on the coating ratio of LBG and HPMC and also on press coating weight. The drug release was to be increased by 15-30% in the presence of colonic microbial flora. The present study demonstrates that the Meloxicam enteric coated tablets could be successfully formulated as a pulsatile drug delivery by the design of a time and PH dependent Chronotherapeutic formulation.