DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF GASTRORETENTIVE BILAYER FLOATING TABLET OF PROPRONOLOL HCl USING NATURAL POLYMER

The purpose of this study is to prepare a bilayer gastro retentive tablet of Propranolol HCl using direct compression technology and optimize the type and concentration of polymer to give maximum retentive effect with good drug release profile. Propranolol hydrochloride, a nonselective β-adrenergic blocker having short half-life (3-4 hr)and first pass metabolism favors for sustained release dosage form. In this study, a bilayer tablet was prepared which contains an immediate release portion and a floating layer. Gaur gum, Pectin were used as gel forming agents either alone or in combination, Sodium bicarbonate and citric acid as gas generating agent, superdisintegrant sodium starch glycolate for the fast release layer. The formulations gave an initial burst effect to provide the loading dose of the drug followed by sustained release for 14 h from the sustaining layer of tablets. The bilayer tablets were characterized by lag time, floating time, weight variation, drug content and dissolution profile. Best Formulation BFT1 [Gaur gum-Pectin (2:1)] shows lag time of 8.0min, floating time of 14 h and drug release of 98.97±0.81%.  The optimized formulation was subjected to stability studies at 40^oCand 75% RH for period of two months. Short term stability studies showed good result.