Formulation & Characterisation of Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Gel

The present study focuses on the formulation and characterization of an ophthalmic gel containing Sulphacetamide Sodium, a sulfonamide antibiotic, to enhance its ocular retention time and bioavailability. Sulphacetamide Sodium is conventionally used as eye drops, which suffer from rapid elimination and poor therapeutic efficacy. To overcome this limitation, ophthalmic gels were formulated using different polymers, including Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) K100, Carbopol, and Sodium Alginate, both individually and in combination. The compatibility of the drug with excipients was confirmed through FT-IR studies. The prepared gels exhibited clarity, a pH close to 7.4, and drug content within acceptable limits. Antimicrobial efficacy was demonstrated by zones of inhibition, and all formulations passed sterility testing. Among the various formulations, F4, containing HPMC K100 and Carbopol at 0.5% each, exhibited an optimized drug release of 99.75% by the end of six hours. The study concludes that the combination of HPMC K100 and Carbopol is optimal for sustaining drug release over six hours, making it a promising formulation for improved ocular drug delivery.