Formulation, development and optimization of mouth dissolving tablets of Rizatriptan benzoate

Rizatriptan benzoate, a drug used to treat migraine needs quick action, for which mouth dissolving tablets (MDTs) of the drug may be suitable. However, the bitter taste of drug pose a major challenge to the development of MDTs of the drug. In the present study, MDTs were developed after masking the bitter taste of the drug through solid dispersion. The solid dispersions of Rizatriptan benzoate were prepared with PEG 6000 and mannitol in various ratios and the taste of the formulations was evaluated by willing volunteers and the most acceptable formulation was chosen for development of the MDTs. The MDTs were developed and optimized by using the sequential simplex optimization technique. Disintegration time, hardness and friability of the tablets were considered as the parameters for the optimization of formulations. The optimized formulation showed a disintegration time of 15 s, hardness of 5.2 kg/cm2 and friability of 0.5 %. The drug release of 99 % was achieved within 15 min in simulated saliva fluid. Therefore, the MDTs developed in this study could meet the dual need of effectively masking the bitter taste of the drug as well as deliver it quickly, for speedy onset of action and better therapeutic efficacy. © 2015, The Korean Society of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology.