DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FLOATING MICROSPHERES OF FAMOTIDINE

The present involves the preparation and evaluation of floating microspheres using Famotidine as a model drug for prolongation of the gastric retention time. The microspheres were prepared by the Ionotropic gelation method using different polymers i.e., HPMC K4M, HPMC K100M and Carbopol. The prepared microspheres were evaluated for particle size, buoyancy, entrapment efficiency. In Vitro drug release studies were performed and the drug release kinetics was evaluated using the linear regression method. Data obtained for floating microspheres of famotidine showed good buoyancy and prolonged drug release. The average particle size was in the range of 526?m to 644?m. % drug entrapment efficiency ranged from 62.35% to 97.24%. Diffusion was found to be the main release mechanism. Among all formulations F9 formulation was found to be satisfactory in terms of excellent micromeritic properties,% yield, drug entrapment efficiency, % buoyancy and In-vitro drug release in a sustained manner over an extended period of time for 12 hours. Thus the prepared microspheres proved to be a potential candidate as a microparticulate controlled release drug delivery device in this era. Keywords: Famotidine, Floating Microspheres, Gastric Retention Time, Buoyancy, Entrapment Efficiency and Invitro drug release