Formulation and evaluation of levocetirizine dihydrochloride and ambroxol hydrochloride lozenges

Abstract

The present work aims to formulate and evaluate levocetirizine dihydrochloride and ambroxol hydrochloride hard candy lozenges to produce a slow-release of drugs for the management of cold and cough. The lozenges were prepared using sucrose, liquid glucose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M by heating and congealing method. Sweetener with flavors was utilized to facade the bitter taste of the drug. The developed lozenges were exposed to various physical and chemical characters, and in vitro disintegration and dissolution. The developed formulations include hardness of 8 to 11 kg/cm², non-gritty, and agreeable mouthfeel. The optimized formula was examined for drug excipient interactions subjecting to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis. Drug release for lozenges was highest in formulation FL8. The hard candy lozenges can present an attractive substitute formulation in allergic conditions.