DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF EUDRAGIT COATED LOSARTAN POTASSIUM CONTROLLED RELEASE PELLETS BY PAN COATING TECHNIQUE

The present investigation was focused on the development and evaluation of controlled release pelletsof losartan potassium with Eudragit S 100 and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate (HPMCP) byemploying pan coating technique. Eudragit S 100, a high viscosity grade controlled release polymer, wasmainly used as coating agent for regulating the drug release from pellets. HPMCP, an enteric coatingpolymer was used in the present study to regulate the drug release at varied G.I. pH conditions. Theprepared pellets were evaluated for particle size, drug content, friability and for in vitro drug release. Theformulations were further characterized to identify any possible interactions by FTIR spectroscopy anddifferential scanning calorimetry. The surface morphology of the pellets was studied by scanning electronmicroscopy. From the results it was observed that due to increase in the concentration of Eudragit thedrug release was extended up to 12 hours. The increase in the HPMCP polymeric concentration informulations showed initial delay in drug release.