title: Development and in vitro evaluation of a novel floating multiple unit dosage form obtained by melt pelletization.
abstract: The feasibility of preparing floating pellets by melt pelletization was investigated. The pellets were prepared in a high shear mixer. Formulations were based on a mixture of Compritol and Precirol as lipidic binders and on sodium bicarbonate as a gas-generating agent. The floating ability of the pellets was evaluated in vitro. Good floating capabilities were obtained for formulations containing the gas-generating agent in both the inner matrix and the outer coating layer of the pellets. As an example, a placebo formulation containing 50% lactose 450 Me, 22% Compritol, 15% Precirol, 8% sodium bicarbonate and 5% Methocel K100 (w/w) in the inner matrix, and 66% Precirol and 34% sodium bicarbonate (w/w) as a coating effervescent layer, showed very good floating capabilities. The percentage of floating placebo pellets was around 80% after 1 h and still above 75% for 23 h. Floating pellet formulations with high drug content, based on the use of tetracycline hydrochloride and theophylline were also evaluated. They showed a comparable floating ability to placebo formulations, combined with sustained release properties thanks to the lipophilic character of the binders used.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacie Galénique et de Biopharmacie, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Plaine, CP-207, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jamila
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hamdani
authors.forename: André J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Moës
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Amighi
mesh_terms: D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000737:chemistry; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004075:Diglycerides / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods*; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000737:chemistry; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000737:chemistry; D013806:Theophylline / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004075:Diglycerides; D005079:Excipients; D005227:Fatty Acids; C086409:glyceryl behenate; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D013806:Theophylline; D013752:Tetracycline; C009032:precirol