Floating drug delivery system of verapamil hydrochloride using karaya gum and HPMC

Abstract

The main purpose of this investigation was to develop a controlled release floating drug delivery system (tablet) of verapamil hydrochloride. Floating tablets of verapamil hydrochloride were engineering to extend gastric residence time and hence to enhance its bioavailability. The floating matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression technique using a combination of hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and karaya gum as polymers and sodium bicarbonate as generating agent. The prepared floating tablets were evaluated for weight variation test, hardness, thickness, swelling index, in vitro floating capabilities, floating lag time, compatibility studies, and in vitro drug release. This swellable hydrophilic natural karaya gum was used to control the release of drug. The results showed that the optimized formulation F8 containing 23.3% of karaya gum (70 mg) and 13.3% of HPMC (40 mg) had good floating capability, shorter floating lag time, and sustained drug release for the period of 8 h.

Keywords::

• Verapamil hydrochloride
• karaya gum
• HPMC
• floating tablet
• release kinetics

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Glenmark Pharmaceutical Ltd. (Mumbai, India) and Ranbaxy Research Laboratory (Himachal Pradesh, India) for donating the gift sample of verapamil hydrochloride and HPMC-K₄M, respectively.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.