Investigation on topical emulsion dosage form containing combination of antiinflammatory and muscle relaxing agents

NSAIDs and analgesic drugs are often used in combination with muscle relaxants for the symptomatic treatment of musculoskeletal pain. However, use of some muscle relaxants is limited due to adverse effects, especially sedation. NSAID drug Diclofenac (Diethylammonium) and muscle relaxant Thiocolchicoside are frequently used in acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Both drugs have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and they can be used together, and they are frequently prescribed by physicians. Solid dosage forms containing a combination of Diclofenac and Thiocolchicoside active substances and patch preparation are included in the literature as a pharmaceutical product. Fixed dose emulgel formulation drug product was developed, and the product was optimized. Process validation and stability were conducted and in vitro drug release performance (Franz Diffusion) of active substances from synthetic membrane was investigated. The obtained results in the scope of this studies were compared with the results obtained from the individual reference product preparations and pharmaceutical similarity between formulated product and reference products was performed.