Selection of Percentage of Polymer for Development of Floating Matrix Tablet of Metoclopramide Hydrochloride

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of polymer percentage on the in vitro release profile of Metoclopramide Hydrochloride. Several controlled release matrices of Metoclopramide Hydrochloride with different proportions of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (viscosity 35-65 cps) and microcrystalline cellulose as water soluble filler were prepared. In this study different percentages of polymers 40, 50 and 60% were used for the development of floating matrix tablet of metoclopramide hydrochloride. The results showed that with increase in polymer concentration release of drug from matrices decreases and swelling of matrices increases. When an appropriate blend of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (50%) and microcrystalline cellulose was used, the drug release became more uniform and its release fluctuations were diminished. The results with these polymer blends showed that it is possible to reduce the total amounts of polymer in each formulation. According to kinetic analysis data, drug release from these matrix tablets did not follow Fick's law of diffusion and the results were in agreement with the earlier reports.