Fluconazole Ocular Inserts: Formulation and In -Vitro Evaluation

The eye presents unique opportunities and challenges when it comes to the delivery of Pharmaceuticals. While absorption by this route is bungling, there are few side effects with conventional ocular dosage forms like eye drops and eye suspensions. Several polymeric systems have been used to fabricate ocular inserts for better ocular bioavailability and retention of drug for which gelling systems have shown advantages of convenient administration and increased contact time. Fluconazole ocular films were prepared using film forming polymers namely; Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, poly vinyl pyrrolidine and poly vinyl alcohol. PEG-400 was incorporated as plasticizer. Solvent casting technique was followed to prepare fluconazole ocular inserts. Seven formulations were formulated .The prepared ocular inserts were characterized by means of film thickness, weight variation, folding endurance and surface pH, and invitro drug release to determine the amount of drug release from selected film formulae using excised goat cornea. Ocular inserts prepared were smooth and passed all the evaluation tests performed. Formulation F5 shows a maximum cumulative percentage drug release of 69.02 % at the end of 2 hours through excised goat cornea. The drug in the films was found to be active against selected fungal species as was proved by microbial efficacy studies.