title: The bilayer floating capsule: a stomach-directed drug delivery system for misoprostol.
abstract: A bilayer floating dosage unit is proposed to achieve local delivery of misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analogue, at the gastric mucosa level. The system is a capsule consisting of a floating layer maintaining the dosage unit buoyant upon the gastric content and a drug layer formulated to act as a sustained-delivery system. The differential design of the two layers allows the optimization of both floating capability and drug release profile. The layers are both composed of a hydrophilic matrix based upon hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC). Parameters influencing the release profiles are described. The use of a large capsule increases the gastric residence time (GRT), as it impedes passage through the pylorus opening. gamma-Scintigraphic studies were performed to visualize cohesion of the two layers in vivo and to determine GRT as a function of meal regimen. The average GRTs were 199 +/- 69 min after a single meal (breakfast) and 618 +/- 208 min after a succession of meals.
authors.affiliation: Searle European Development Centre, Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Timmermans
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Möes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002214:Capsules; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D016595:Misoprostol