Mintage Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences (ISSN: 2320-3315)

Author(s): GIDEON O. OKPANACHI*1, HASSAN MUSA2, YUSUF MOHAMMED2, IFEANYI V. EMENIKE1AND MAHMUD S. GWARZO

Objective: The aim of this research is to determine the quality and uniformity of brands of α-Methyldopa 250 mg tablets marketed in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Methods: Eight (8) brands of α-Methyldopa 250 mg tablets labelled as samples A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H were used to ascertain the level of uniformity within each batch and from brand to  brand  using  the  quality  control  tests  such  as  identification  test,  uniformity  of  weight  test,  friability  test  (FR),  crushing  strength  test  (CS),  disintegration  time  test  (DT),dissolution  test  and  test  uniformity  of  active  content. Results:All  the  brands  of  the  methyldopa  tablets  used  passed  the  BP  standards  for  identification  test,  uniformity  of weight,  thickness,  diameter  and  friability  test  but  failed  CS  test  except  sample A  and  G,  which  showed  CS  within  the  range  of  4-8  Kgf.  All  the  brands  except  sample  G complied with the BP, 2009 specification of DT. Also, all the brands except sample G passed the uniformity of active content test (Assay) specified by the BP, 1980 with little significant difference; A=95.96 %, B=97.98 %, C=102.02 %, D=96.40 %, E=100.89 %, F= 102.92 %, G=46.52 %, and H=97.08 %. Similarly, all the brands complied with the dissolution rate test stipulated by the Indian Pharmacopeia 4th Edition except sample Gwith a significant low dissolution profile after 60 minutes; 95.96 %, 98.01 %, 101.65 %, 95.68 %, 100.69 %, 102.02 %, 42.26 % and 97.16 % for the sample A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H respectively. Conclusion: There is a considerable degree of uniformity among the brands examined except sample G.