Evaluation of metronidazole suspensions

Most of the formulations of metronidazole suspensions available in circulation tend to have the problem of caking or claying probably due to the flocculation behavior of the dispersed phase. The present study attempts to achieve a desirable flocculation pattern by the use of a polysaccharide, Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) mucilage alone and then in combination with a monovalent electrolyte and sodium sesquicarbonate (Trona). Metronidazole formulations with various concentrations (1 to 5%w/v) of A. esculentus (Okra), its combination with sodium sesquicarbonate (4:1) and compound tragacanth BP (Reference) were comparatively evaluated using parameters such as sedimentation volume, rheology, pH, redispersibility and particle size. The combined test suspending agents at 5%w/v was found to be superior to the mucilage alone and compound tragacanth BP (P<0.05) at all concentration studied. This result suggests that the combined test suspending agents has the potential of overcoming the problems associated with metronidazole formulations.   Key words: Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra), compound tragacanth BP, metronidazole suspensions, sodium sesquicarbonate (Trona).