Investigation of an active film coating to prepare new fixed-dose combination tablets for treatment of diabetes

The aim of the present study was to formulate new fixed-dose combination tablets (FCTs) by coating a glimepiride (GLM) immediate-release (IR) layer on a metformin hydrochloride (MTF) extended-release (ER) core tablet using perforated film coating equipment. Composition of GLM-IR coating suspension for homogeneity was studied and application of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) to determine the end-point of the coating process was also investigated. The final product was administered to healthy male volunteers and its pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed. GLM-IR coating suspension was prepared with a ratio of SLS to GLM at 0.75 for homogeneity. An inert mid-layer was introduced to prevent contact between MTF-ER core tablet and GLM-IR layer, which led to an increased release rate of GLM in pH 7.8 medium. The proportional correlation was confirmed between analytical results of GLM determined by NIRS and those by HPLC-UV. Thus, the end-point of the GLM coating process was determined by NIRS, the fast and non-destructive method. New FCTs were confirmed to be bioequivalent to the marketed product.