Formulation, Evaluation and Process Validation of Topical Piroxicam Microsponge Gel

Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) were developed for systemic delivery of drugs using the skin as portal of entry. But TDDS is not practicable for delivery of materials whose final target is skin itself. Controlled release of drugs onto the epidermis with assurance that the drug remains primarily localized and does not enter the systemic circulation in pronounced amounts is an area of research. The goal of present work is to overcome the gastro-intestinal side effects of Piroxicam and to provide a better drug release in the form of microsponge (MS) entrapped topical drug delivery system. Microsponge of Piroxicam was formulated by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion technique by using polymer/drug carrier like Eudragit RS 100 and optimized batch of MS was selected to incorporate into gel with a view to prevent the gastric side effect, to avoid first pass metabolism and to achieve best release pattern of the Piroxicam from Piroxicam MS gel. This research article discusses the characterization of drug and polymers, analysis of mircosponge via DSC, SEM and FTIR, formulation and evaluation of topical Piroxicam microsponge gel.