FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING MATRIX TABLET OF LEVOFLOXACIN HEMIHYDRATE

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to develop Gastro retentive dosage forms which would remain in the stomach and upper part or GIT for a prolonged period of time thereby maximizing the drug release at desired site within the time before GRDFs left the stomach and upper part of the GIT, has provoked a great deal of increased interest in the formulation of such drug as Floating drug delivery systems. Levofloxacin, (BCS class I) is a fluoro-quinolone anti-bacterial agent. The rationale for the formulation of floating matrix tablet are acidic solubility of levofloxacin, residence of Halicobactor pylori mainly in sub region of stomach and the overdosing associated adverse effect due to continuous intake of drug in acute infection. Floating tablet of levofloxacin hemihydrate was prepared by wet granulation method using different hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers like guar gum, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose and Eudragit RS 100, sodium alginate, xanthan gum. Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid was used as gas generating agents. The FTIR spectra of the levofloxacin hemihydrate and Eudragit RS 100, guar gum, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, sodium alginate, and xanthan gum alone and in combination show the compatibility of the drug and excipients. Formulations were optimized on the basis of in- vitro drug release in 0.1N HCL. It was found that the levofloxacin hemihydrate - Eudragit RS 100 (1:1) has given the best dissolution results. The optimized formulation evaluated for physical parameters such as weight uniformity, hardness, friability, drug content, in-vitro buoyancy and swelling index. The release mechanism of levofloxacin hemihydrate from the tablets was non-Fickian.