Preparation and Evaluation of Pantoprazole Sodium Floating Microspheres

The present study focussed on the preparation as well as the evaluation of Pantoprazole sodium floating microspheres. The controlled release drug delivery systems were attaining popularity now-a-days. One of such delivery systems which enhance the absorption rate of drug by retaining the formulation in the stomach for longer time period is the gastro-retentive dosage form. The retentive approach here used was floating systems with microspheres. The microspheres were prepared by co-acervation technique. Various microsphere formulations (P1, P2, P3, H1, H2 and H3) were prepared using polymers like poly vinyl pyrrolidine and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose in different concentrations (0.5, 1 and 1.5). The microspheres were subjected to various characterisation studies like invitro drug release, incorporation efficiency and buoyancy percentage. The formulation P2 showed maximum drug release of 92.8% followed by H2 with a drug release of 88.8%. Among all the formulations, the formulation P2 and H2 showed better incorporation efficiency of 91.2% and 82.6% respectively. The formulations P2 (PVP-1g) and H2 (HPMC-1g) depicted the best results when compared to other formulations. From the obtained results, it was concluded that the drug release from the floating microspheres matrix was controlled by the polymer. As the polymer proportion was increased with decrease in drug loading, the drug release was decreased significantly.