Development and assessment of immediate-release tablets containing clopidogrel bisulphate & aspirin—strategy for optimizing the combination formulation

The main goal of the study was to improve the compliance and convenience of patients by designing and development of an immediate release (IR) fixed-dose combination (Clopidogrel bisulphate and Aspirin) tablets. The proposed combination product utilizes Clopidogrel to protect the moisture-sensitive aspirin component, enhancing its stability against atmospheric conditions. Response-surface approach (Design Expert vs. 13) was used to generate this IR tablet by calculating the right composition of independent variables such as Microcrystalline cellulose 102, pregelatinized starch and Hydroxypropyl cellulose. 32 factorial design was used to estimate the effects of these independent variables on the responses of dependent variables (disintegration & friability) and constructed a total of nine (9) formulations. Pre and Post formulation, quality control parameters were investigated as per pharmacopeia. A systematic approach was used for the optimization process and a prototype checkpoint batch (CPB) based on the better contrast of independent variables was prepared. In vitro analysis of formulations was carried out to estimate the responses. Friability was found in the range of 0.088–1.076%w/w, except F1 = 1.076 all are within limits (NMT 1.0%). Disintegration time was recorded 7.3 ± 1.20 as lower and 24.5 ± 1.63 min was the highest. The release of drugs from their dosage form was fast and rapid, for clopidogrel after 15min was 70.42–96.82% with SD ± 8.71 and aspirin was 69.88–91.49% in 15 min with SD ± 6.41, all the tablets were released more than 80% in 20 min. The stability outcomes of CPB tablets after 15 days of stress study (60 ± 2°C and 75 ± 5%) indicated good compatibility and stability of APIs with excipients. It was concluded that the direct compression method can be preferred to prepare a combination product with cost-effectiveness. It was also concluded that the proposed methodology could increase Aspirin’s stability and allow for an aqueous coating system to finish the product with a film coating. By using Design Expert software, the best composition of the formulation can be selected and optimized in a short period of time with minimum trial and errors. The results also demonstrated that the use of a fixed-dose combination tablet instead of the individual is expected to be more convenient to patients and thus improves patient compliance and decreases the occurrence of adverse effects and side effects.