OPTIMIZATION OF CONTROLLED RELEASE GASTRORETENTIVE BUOYANT TABLET WITH XANTHAN GUM AND POLYOX WSR 1105

The aim of present work was to prepare gastroretentive floating tablets containing Ofloxacin (OFX), an anti-bacterial agent. Floating tablets were prepared by direct compression using Sodium carbonate and citric acid as gas forming agents. Various grades of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) were employed as swellable polymer. Xanthan gum and Polyox WSR 1105 were used as gelling agents for controlled release in combination with HPMC. The prepared blends were evaluated for precompression characteristics including angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr's index and Hausner's ratio to assess flowability and compressibility. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, swelling index, in vitro buoyancy and in vitro drug release. Results show that tablet blends were having good flow characteristics and compressibility. Percent swelling was ranging from 92.1 to 108.4, indicating excellent swelling property. The floating lag time of prepared tablets was found to be satisfactory in a range from 20 sec to 3 min 20 sec, while floating duration of all prepared batches was more than 24 hr. Formulations showed polymer concentration dependent drug release retardation over a period of 12 hrs.