%0 Journal Article
%T Enhanced Stability and Compatibility of Montelukast and Levocetirizine in a Fixed-Dose Combination Monolayer Tablet.
%A Yun TH
%A Kim MJ
%A Lee JG
%A Bang KH
%A Kim KS
%J Pharmaceutics
%V 16
%N 7
%D 2024 Jul 21
%M 39065660
%F 6.525
%R 10.3390/pharmaceutics16070963
%X The purpose of this study was to enhance the stability of montelukast and levocetirizine for the development of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) monolayer tablet. To evaluate the compatibility of montelukast and levocetirizine, a mixture of the two drugs was prepared, and changes in the appearance characteristics and impurity content were observed in a dry oven at 60 °C. Excipients that contributed minimally to impurity increases were selected to minimize drug interactions. Mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, and sodium citrate were chosen as excipients, and montelukast-levocetirizine FDC monolayer tablets were prepared by wet granulating the two drugs separately. A separate granulation of montelukast and levocetirizine, along with the addition of sodium citrate as a pH stabilizer, minimized the changes in tablet appearance and impurity levels. The prepared tablets demonstrated release profiles equivalent to those of commercial products in comparative dissolution tests. Subsequent stability testing at 40 ± 2 °C and 75 ± 5% RH for 6 months confirmed that the drug content, dissolution rate, and impurity content met the specified acceptance criteria. In conclusion, the montelukast-levocetirizine FDC monolayer tablet developed in this study offers a potential alternative to commercial products.