Development and Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablets of Ketorolac Tromethamine

Buccal route offers excellent opportunities and potential advantages for systemic drug delivery as compared to per-oral administration. The objective of this study was to prepare mucoadhesive tablets of Ketorolac tromethamine in order to circumvent the gastric irritation associated with the drug. The tablets were prepared using various hydrophilic polymers like Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K4M (HPMC), Carbopol 934P (CP) and xanthan gum singly and in combination, by direct compression followed by coating with impervious backing layer of ethyl cellulose to obtain unidirectional release of drug. Tablets were evaluated for physical properties, drug content, swelling index, mucoadhesion, and in vitro dissolution studies. The formulation containing CP-HPMC combinations were found to be uniform in thickness, weight, drug content and adequate mucoadhesive strength and swelling index. The higher swelling index for tablets of CP-HPMC combinations may be attributed to the relatively higher hydrophilicity of carbopol. Histological studies revealed no damage to buccal mucosa. It can be concluded that buccal route is a promising alternative for administration of Ketorolac tromethamine.