Author(s):
Priyanka R. Ahire, Pradnya M. Khandagale, Manisha M. Rokade
Email(s):
priyankapatil88605@gmail.com , pradnyamkhandagale@gmail.com , rokademanisha3131@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/2231-5713.2026.00019
Address:
Priyanka R. Ahire1*, Pradnya M. Khandagale2, Manisha M. Rokade3
1Lecturer, Department of Pharmaceutics, KCT’S R G Sapkal Institute of Pharmacy, Anjaneri, Nashik, 422213 Maharashtra India.
2Lecturer, Department of Quality Assurance, KCT’S R G Sapkal Institute of Pharmacy, Anjaneri, Nashik 422213 Maharashtra India.
3HOD Department of Pharmaceutics, KCT’S R G Sapkal Institute of Pharmacy, Anjaneri, Nashik 422213 Maharashtra India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 16,
Issue - 2,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of Cetirizine dihydrochloride fast-disintegrating tablets using chitosan and natural sweetener Stevia leaf powder to enhance patient compliance in allergic conditions. Fast-disintegrating tablets dissolve in the mouth without the need for water, thereby improving bioavailability by facilitating pre-gastric absorption. Chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin, was used as a disintegrant due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and swelling properties, while Stevia provided taste masking. Five formulations (F1–F5) were prepared by direct compression using mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, and other excipients. The formulations were evaluated for flow properties, thickness, hardness, friability, wetting time, water absorption ratio, disintegration time, drug content uniformity, in-vitro dissolution, and accelerated stability. The results demonstrated uniformity in tablet parameters, satisfactory mechanical strength, rapid disintegration, improved taste, and near-complete drug release within 6 minutes. Formulations F4 and F5 showed optimal stability over a 3-month period under accelerated conditions. The study confirms that chitosan and Stevia can be successfully used in fast-disintegrating tablets to enhance patient compliance and drug efficacy.
Cite this article:
Priyanka R. Ahire, Pradnya M. Khandagale, Manisha M. Rokade. Formulation and Evaluation of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Fast-Disintegrating Tablets using Chitosan and Stevia Leaf Powder. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026; 16(2):138-2. doi: 10.52711/2231-5713.2026.00019
Cite(Electronic):
Priyanka R. Ahire, Pradnya M. Khandagale, Manisha M. Rokade. Formulation and Evaluation of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Fast-Disintegrating Tablets using Chitosan and Stevia Leaf Powder. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2026; 16(2):138-2. doi: 10.52711/2231-5713.2026.00019 Available on: https://ajptonline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-16-2-4
REFERENCES:
1. Ashish, P.; Harsoliya, M.S.; Pathan, J.K.; Shruti, S. A review-formulation of mouth dissloving tablet. Int. J. Pharm. Clin. Sci. 2011; 1: 1–8.
2. Siddiqui, N.; Garg, G.; Sharma, P.K. Fast dissolving tablets: Preparation, characterization and evaluation: An overview. Intern. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res. 2010; 4: 87–96.
3. Jyoti, V.; Prajapati, S.K.; Irchhiaya, R. An overview on superdisintegrants: A Review. Eur. J. Pharm. Med. Res. 2017; 4: 252–260.
4. Slavkova, M.; Breitkreutz, J. Orodispersible drug formulations for children and elderly. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 2015; 75: 2–9. [CrossRef] [PubMed] Aggarwal,
5. P.; Nautiyal, U.; Mali, R.R. A review on fast dissolving tablet. Int. J. Recent Adv. Sci. Technol. 2015; 2: 20–28. [CrossRef]
6. Bala, R.; Khanna, S.; Pawar, P. Polymers in fast disintegrating tablets—A review. Asian J. Pharm. Clin. Res. 2012; 5: 8–14.
7. Amaliyar, P.R.; Patel, H.; Chaudhary, S.A.; Shah, H.; Patel, A.; Suva, M.A. A brief review on natural and synthetic superdisinte grants. Invent J. 2014; 3: 1–6.
8. Sharma, V.; Arora, V.; Ray, C. Use of natural superdisintegrsant in mouth dissolving tablet—An emerging trend. Int. Bull. Drug Res. 2010; 1: 46–54.
9. Alam, M.T.; Parvez, N.; Sharma, P.K. FDA-Approved Natural Polymers for Fast Dissolving Tablets. J. Pharm. 2014; 2014: 1–6. [CrossRef]
10. Mengoni, T.; Adrian, M.; Pereira, S.; Santos-Carballal, B.; Kaiser, M.; Goycoolea, F.M. A chitosan-based liposome formulation enhances the in vitro wound healing efficacy of substance P neuropeptide. Pharmaceutics 2017; 9: 56. [CrossRef]
11. Elgadir, M.A.; Uddin, M.S.; Ferdosh, S.; Adam, A.; Chowdhury, A.J.K.; Sarker, M.Z.I. Impact of chitosan composites and chitosan nanoparticle composites on various drug delivery systems: A review. J. Food Drug Anal. 2015; 23: 619–629. [CrossRef]
12. Detsi, A.; Kavetsou, E.; Kostopoulou, I.; Pitterou, I.; Pontillo, A.R.N.; Tzani, A.; Christodoulou, P.; Siliachli, A.; Zoumpoulakis, P. Nanosystems for the encapsulation of natural products: The case of chitosan biopolymer as a matrix. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12: 669. [CrossRef]
13. Bruscato, F.N.; Danti, A.G. Pharmaceutical Tablets Containing Chitin and Chitosan as a Disintegrant. U.S. Patent US4086335A, 25 April 1978.
14. Chien YW. Novel drug delivery systems. New York – Marcel Dekker nd Inc., 2 Edition, 1992; 50.
15. Indurwade NH, Rajyaguru TH, Nakhat PD. Novel approach – Fast Dissolving Tablets. Indian Drugs, 2002; 39(8): 405-9.
16. Watanabe Y, Koizumi K, Zama Y, Matsumoto Y, Motsumoto M. New compressed tablet rapidly disintegrating in saliva in the mouth using crystalline cellulose and disintegrant. Bio Pharm Bull, 1995; 18(9): 1308-10.
17. Shirwaikar AA, Ramesh A. Fast disintegrating tablets of Atenolol by dry granulation method. Indian J Pharm Sci., 2004; 66(4): 422-6.
18. Yunxia B, Yorinobu Y, Hisakazu S. Rapidly disintegrating tablets prepared by the wet compression method: Mechanism and optimization. J Pharm Sci, 1999; 88(10): 1004-10.
19. Kuchekar B.S., Badhan A.C.and Mahajan H.S., Mouth Dissolving Tablets: A Novel Drug Delivery System, Pharma Times, 2003; 35: 7-9.
20. Lachman L, Libermann HA, Kanig JL. The theory and practice of rd industrial pharmacy, Varghese Publishing House, 3 Edn; 1991.
21. Abdelbary G, Eouani C, Prindere P, Jaochim J,Reynier J. Determination of the invitro disintegration profile of rapidly disintegrating tablets and correlation with oral disintegration. Int J Pharm 2005; 292: 29-41.
22. Chaudhari P, Chaudhari S, Kohle S, Dave K, More D. Formulation and evaluation of fast dissolving tablets of famotidine. Indian Drugs 2005; 42(10): 641-9.
23. Chaudhri PD, Chaudhri SP, Lanke SD and Patel. Formulation and in vitro evaluation of taste masked orodispersible dosage form of LevoCetirizine hydrochloride dihydrochloride. Indian Jour. of Pharm. Educ. Res., 2007; 41(4): 319-28.
24. Khan S, Kataria P, Nakhat P and Yeole P. Taste Masking of Ondansetron Hydrochloride by Polymer Carrier System and Formulation of Rapid- Disintegrating Tablets. AAPS Pharm. Sci. Tech., 2007; 8(2): 1- 7.
25. Biradar SS, Bhagavati ST, Kuppasad IJ., Fast dissolving drug delivery systems: a brief overview. The Int. J. Pharmacol, 2006; 4(2): 1531- 2976.
26. Kaushik D, Dureja H, Saini TR, Mouth dissolving tablets: A review. Indian Drugs-Bombay. 2004; 41: 187-93.
27. Sharma S, Gupta GD., Formulation and characterization of fast- dissolving tablet of promethazine theoclate. AJP. 2008; 2: 70-2.
28. Venu Priya R. Novel Approach in Designing Mouth Dissolving Tablets of Cetirizine Hydrochloride. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Education and Research. 2012: 253-258.
29. Draksiene, G.; Venclovaite, B.; Pudziuvelyte, L.; Ivanauskas, L.; Marksa, M.; Bernatoniene, J. Natural Polymer Chitosan as Super Disintegrant in Fast Orally Disintegrating Meloxicam Tablets: Formulation and Evaluation. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13: 879. https:// doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics 1306087