FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF SUSTAINED RELEASE FLOATING-MUCOADHESIVE TABLET OF RANITIDINE HCl

A new drug delivery system for H2 receptor antagonist drug, Ranitidine hydrochloride, was developed utilizing both the concepts of adhesiveness and of flotation, in order to obtain a unique drug delivery system which could remain in the stomach for a much longer period of time. Floating-Mucoadesive tablets of Ranitidine hydrochloride were developed to prolong its release and improve bioavailability. Ranitidine has been the most widely used drug for the treatment of peptic ulcer. A floating drug delivery system (FDDS) was developed using gas-forming agents, like sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and hydrocolloids, like hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and carbopol 934P. Floating delivery system of Ranitidine hydrochloride was prepared using different grades of HPMC as drug release retarding polymer and sodium bicarbonate as source for carbon dioxide which helps tablets to float. Tablets were prepared by direct compression. The prepared tablets were evaluated their physicochemical properties and drug release, excipient compatibility, density, buoyancy test, mucoadhesion force, swelling study, drug content and in-vitro release profile.