ABSTRACT

Gastroretentive drug delivery systems are designed to prolong the gastric residence time after oral administration, at specific site and controlling the release of drug, especially being useful for achieving controlled plasma level as well as improving bioavailability. In the present work, gastroretentive tablets of eprosartan mesylate were prepared with hydrophilic swellable polymers like Polyox WSR coagulant, Polyox WSR 301 and Polyox WSR N 80 and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K100M and K15M as release retarding agents. Lactose and microcrystalline cellulose were used as diluents. Citric acid and Tromethamine were used as pH modifiers. The prepared tablets (F-I to F-XX) were evaluated for all physico-chemical parameters, in vitro dissolution, swelling studies and release kinetics. From the results, optimized formulation F-X maintained tablet strength due its constant swelling rate over a period of time and showing a drug release of more than 95% at 12th hour. The drug release followed zero order and the kinetics best fitted into Higuchi model. The optimized batch stability studies were carried out at 40°C /75%RH storage condition up to 4 weeks and there was no significant change in physico-chemical parameters, in vitro drug release profile and swelling index.