Evaluation of novel immediate-/controlled-release tablets of isosorbide-5-mononitrate (5-ISMN): in vitro-in vivo correlation.

The aim of the present study was to develop the novel immediate-controlled release (ICR) tablets of isosorbide-5-mononitrate (5-ISMN) composed of an osmotic pump tablet core coated with an immediate-release layer. The novel ICR tablets of 5-ISMN could release drug quickly and continuously through a semi-permeable membrane (SPM) composed of ethylcellulose (EC)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 and cellulose acetate (CA)/PEG4000. Release tended to decrease with storage time. However, the drug release rates changed little for the SPM composed of EC/PVP K30. The weight loss test also confirmed these results. The major release mechanism was diffusion according to the Higuchi equation. The relative bioavailability of the ICR tablets compared to the reference formulation in the single and multiple dose regiments were 90.9 and 111.2%, respectively. They were both bioequivalent to the reference formulation. In vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) studies demonstrated that the dissolution in vitro simulated the absorption in vivo well. In general, 5-ISMN ICR tablets composed of an osmotic pump tablet core and an immediate-release layer may be promising in providing immediate and constant drug delivery with minimum fluctuations during long storage time.