Aim: The objective of this study was to develop and characterize the physical properties of fast-melting tablets (FMTs) using cocoa butter as the base and caffeine as the model drug.Method: The simple refrigerator freezing method was employed to prepare caffeine-loaded, FMTs from cocoa butter bases.Results: The F3 chosen formulation achieved a disintegration time of 1.20 min ± 0.035, which falls within the specified limit set by the European Pharmacopoeia. The cumulative drug release data of F3, was 88.52 and 94.08% within 60 and 75 min, respectively (NLT 85% as per US FDA requirement). All the other physical test standards for FMTs met the pharmacopeial specifications.Conclusion: Based on the findings, the simple refrigerator freezing method could be used to formulate FMTs.
Keywords: caffeine; cocoa butter; fast-melting tablets; in vitro disintegration; in vitro dissolution.
Patient-friendly natural caffeine-loaded cocoa butter-based fast-melting tablets with rapid disintegration, affordability, safety and biocompatibility are an efficient base for drug delivery.