Abstract

Recently many drugs are formulated as floating drug delivery systems with an objective to sustain release and restrict the region of drug release to stomach. The intensive research of recent past has resulted in the development of five commercial floating drug delivery systems. Ciprofloxacin, which is better absorbed in stomach and upper small intestine was formulated as floating matrix tablet using gas generating agent (sodium bicarbonate) and hydrophilic polymer (hydroxypropylmethycellulose). Formulation was optimized on the basis of floating time and in vitro drug release. Two batches of fabricated tablets containing ciprofloxacin (580 mg), sodium bicarbonate (200 mg), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-K100M (100 mg), lactose between 9.7-12% and polyvinyl pyrrolidone 4.8% with hardness between 14-14.6 kg/cm2 showed desired duration of floating (8 h or more). In vitro drug release study of these tablets indicated controlled sustained release for ciprofloxacin and 80-89% release at the end of 8 h. Hence, it is evident from this investigation that gas powered floating matrix tablet could be promising delivery system for ciprofloxacin with sustained release action and improved drug availability.