Abstract

Metoclopramide microspheres containing a mucoadhesive polymer chitosan were prepared and investigated with a view to develop mucoadhesive microspheres. The chitosan microspheres were prepared by simple emulsification phase separation technique using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent. Results of preliminary trials indicate that volume of crosslinking agent, time for crosslinking and speed of rotation affected characteristics of microspheres. Microspheres were discrete, spherical and free flowing. The microspheres exhibited good mucoadhesive property in the in vitro wash off test. Metoclopramide release from these mucoadhesive microspheres was slow, extended and depended on the polymer to drug ratio. Drug release was diffusion controlled and followed non-Fickian diffusion. Microspheres prepared using polymer to drug ratio of 4:1 were found suitable for oral controlled release with good mucoadhesion up to 8 h. The microspheres exhibited good swelling index and 72 % drug entrapment efficiency.