Formulation and evaluation of floating controlled drug delivery of anti-ulcer drug loaded microballoons

An attempt has been made to develop floating drug delivery system for improving the drug bioavailability by prolongation of gastric residence time of Famotidine in the stomach. The floating microballoons were prepared using polymer Eudragit RS100, HPMC K100M and Ethyl Cellulose. Famotidine was used as the model drug. Nine formulations (F1 to F9) were prepared by varying the ratio of polymers. The prepared Famotidine loaded micro balloons were characterized for percentage yield, particle size analysis, surface morphology, micromeritic properties, drug entrapment efficiency, buoyancy studies and in-vitro drug release. The formulated micro balloons were free flowing. The micro balloons with Eudragit RS100 showed higher buoyancy when compared with HPMC K100M and Ethyl Cellulose. On the basis of micromeritic properties, particle size, percentage yield, morphology, buoyancy study, drug entrapment, optimum in-vitro drug release and satisfactory release kinetics, formulation F2 was selected as an optimum formulation