Abstract
Objective: This present study aimed to formulate and evaluate Cetrizine hydrochloride in a rectal dosage form, suppositories. The drug release properties, hardness, disintegration time, melting range, as well as their weight variation, were assessed in various formulations. Methods: Cocoa butter suppositories and Polyethylene Glycol Suppositories were prepared using standard methods with some modifications. In the preparation of polyethylene Glycol Suppositories, PEG-400, PEG-600, PEG-4000 and PEG-6000 were utilised in different ratios. The various suppository formulations were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, melting range, disintegration time as well as drug release properties. Results: The findings demonstrated successful formulation of the Cetrizine hydrochloride suppositories as evident by the various evaluation parameters. Growing concentration of solid PEGs (6000 and 4000) with reducing the concentration of PEG 600 and PEG 600 resulted in increasing the melting point and increasing hardness of the base as well as other parameters of concern such as the hydration by water uptake followed by formation of gelatinous layers. Conclusion: In the obtained results, the formulation containing PEG-400 and PEG-6000 in the ratio of 4:6 exhibited the highest release of the drug with a better profile.

Key words: Suppositories, Cocoa butter, Polyethylene Glycol, Cetrizine hydrochloride, Rectal dosage form