Open AccessFloating microspheres of valacyclovir HCl: Formulation, optimization, characterization, in vitro and in vivo floatability studies
Author(s) -
Nilamgiri Goswami,
Garima Joshi,
Krutika Sawant
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy and bioallied sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.268
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 0976-4879
pISSN - 0975-7406
DOI - 10.4103/0975-7406.94118
Subject(s) - microsphere , in vivo , chemistry , particle size , absorption (acoustics) , chromatography , drug delivery , solvent , polymer , biomedical engineering , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , materials science , organic chemistry , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , engineering , composite material , biology
Floating microspheres are multiple unit Gastroretentive drug delivery systems. Valacyclovir hydrochloride (VCH) is L-valyl ester prodrug of acyclovir. VCH degrades in intestinal fluid. The objective was to develop floating microspheres of VCH to localise the drug at upper part of GIT, for improved absorption. Floating microspheres were prepared by W/O emulsification solvent evaporation method using Ethylcellulose (EC) as polymer. Particle size and % EE were 550.021±0.241 μm, 79.88±2.236% respectively. in vitro and in vivo floatability studies confirmed floating behaviour of microspheres. VCH loaded floating microspheres can be a suitable alternative to the conventional formulation, by localizing the drug at upper GIT.