Original Articles
Navya Bhukya and Rajeshri Dhur
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to formulate and evaluate an oral gastro retentive mucoadhesive pulsatile delivery system for treatment of arrhythmias which usually occurs in early morning hours. Gastroretentive mucoadhesive pulsatile tablets (GMP) of verapamil hydrochloride were prepared by compression coating technique using differents ratios of swelling polymers such as HPMC E15 and Carbopol 974P. Various formulations were prepared and evaluated for pre and post compression parameters. Swelling index, mucoadhesive strength and water uptake studies were performed to select an optimum concentration of polymer that would exhibit desired lag time and mucoadhesion time. Drug excipient incompatibility studies were carried out which showed no chemical interaction. From the, in vitro release studies and swelling index studies, it was observed that formulation F7 coated with 380 mg HPMC and 5 mg carbopol 974P showed optimum lag time of 5 h with highest percent drug release of 98.67% at the end of 6th hour. The mucoadhesive strength of 48.3 g as well as the force of adhesion 0.47 N was higher for F7 as compared to other formulations. Formulation F7 showed better mucoadhesion property for a period of 5h which indicated that it would retain in the stomach for desired period. Formulation F7 was considered to be best formulation that can achieve site specific and time release of verapamil hydrochloride to treat arrhythmias effectively.