FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF TEGAFUR SUPPOSITORIES IN-VITRO STUDIES

The release of tegafure from different suppository formulations prepar ed with Witepsol (H15 and E75), Suppocire AM, different macrogols and some developed emulsified bases through a semipermeable membrane was i nvestigated. Tween 20 and sodium glycolate were included as additives in Witepsol H15 base to investigated their role in enhancement of drug release. Also, the surface reversible interaction of tegafur with por ous silica and its effect on drug release from Witepsol H15 base was s tudied. The fracture point, melting point, disintegration time, weight variation and content uniformity were determined. Good drug release w as obtained with the water soluble and emulsified suppository bases. O n the other hand, semisynthetic oleaginous bases gave slower drug rele ase. The addition of Tween 20 or sodium glycolate to Witepsol H15 slig htly enhanced the drug release, while the mixture of tegafur-porous si lica sorbate and Tween 20 resulted in an obvious enhancement of the dr ug release. Most of the formulations proved satisfactory in terms of t heir physicochemical characteristics.