Preparation and Pharmaceutical Evaluation of Ferrous Sulfate and Ascorbic acid Floating Matrix Tablet for Prevention of Anemia

For prolonging the time that drug remains in stomach, new methods used as floating drug delivery systems, that available in various forms such as floating tablets. These systems enhance drug absorption and decrease plasma concentration fluctuations. Iron deficiency and its inadequate absorption in diet are of community health problems. Common forms of iron available in the market have little bioavailability and due to greater excretion of drugs from the gastrointestinal tract has many complications such as constipation. Using floating systems to enhance drug absorption can reduce the dose required and drug side effects. In this study, preparation of floating tablets of ferrous sulfate plus ascorbic acid is considered since it has proven that vitamin C enhances iron absorption. Tablets were prepared with swollen polymers like HPMC K4M and carbopol934 by direct compression method. Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid was used to create the CO2 then drug properties such as buoyancy, release percentage and physical properties were tested on that. Tablet formulation No. 10, started to float in 27 seconds and floating state lasts 18 hours in environments like stomach. According to the great drug release and long floating state (12 h), tablet formulation 10 is recommended as a drug supplement to prevent anemia.