Omeprazole nanoparticles suspension: Development of a stable liquid formulation with a view to pediatric administration

Omeprazole (OME) is often used to treat disorders associated with gastric hypersecretion in children but a liquid pediatric formulation of this medicine is not currently available. The aim of this study is to develop OME loaded nanoparticles with a view to the obtention of a liquid pharmaceutical dosage form. Eudragit RS100 was selected as the skeleton material in the inner core and pH-sensitive Eudragit L100-55 was used as the outer coating of the nanoparticles prepared by the nanoprecipitation method. Pharmacological activity was evaluated by induction of ethanol ulcers in mice. The OME nanoparticles exhibited mean diameters of 174 nm ( 17), polydispersity index of 0.229 (+/- 0.01), zeta potential values of 13 mV (+/- 2.60) and encapsulation efficiency of 68.1%. The in vivo pharmacological assessment showed the ability of nanoparticles to protect mice stomach against ulcer formation. The prepared suspension of OME nanoparticles represents effective therapeutic strategy in a liquid pharmaceutical form with the possibility of pediatric administration.