Applicability of Gum Karaya in the Design of Olmesartan Medoxomil Gastroretentive Floating Tablets

Gastroretentive drug delivery systems retain in the stomach for an extended period of time and thus improve the bioavailability of drugs. The present research was concerned with formulation of gastroretentive floating tablets of Olmesartan medoxomil by application of gum karaya in comparison to synthetic polymer that has previously been established. The low bioavailability of 26% and solubility of Olmesartan medoxomil in acidic pH following oral administration led to development of a gastro retentive formulation. The floating tablets prepared by direct compression method were observed for uniformity of weight, uniformity of thickness, friability, hardness, uniformity of drug content, floating lag time, total floating time, disintegration time and invitro dissolution studies. Among all the formulations prepared with two different polymers, OGK6 showed an effective drug release when compared with already established synthetic polymer. The applicability of gum karaya as natural polymer was successfully tested in the design of Olmesartan medoxomil floating tablet.