DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FLOATING MICROSPHERES OF ESOMEPRAZOLE MAGNESIUM TRIHYDRATE BY SOLVENT EVAPORATION METHOD

The objective of this research was to develop and characterize floating microspheres of esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate by solvent evaporation method using various polymers.  The esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate floating microspheres was successfully developed by solvent evaporation method using HPMC, CA, Carbopol 940, Eudragit L 100 in various proportions. Further, the prepared floating microspheres were characterized for particle size, morphology, micrometric studies, entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, release kinetics, compatibility studies (FTIR), SEM and DSC studies. The EMT microspheres were free-flowing. The mean particle size ranged from 100.08±0.95 to 500.42±1.03μm and the entrapment efficiency ranged from 67.11±3.01 to 96.38±2.34%. SEM revealed a hollow spherical structure of microspheres with a smooth surface morphology and the internal surface was porous due to the evaporation of solvent entrapped within the shell of microspheres. The IR Spectrum obtained from EMT and polymers were identical and there was no change in the functional group absorption of any molecule present in formulated product. Formulation F9 was found to be highest in-vitro buoyancy 94.95±1.43. Amongst the formulation, F9 was found to be the best formulation as it release EMT 94.60% in a sustained manner. The results obtained was clearly indicated that prepared floating microspheres of EMT may prove to be potential candidate for safe and effective sustained drug delivery over an extended period of time which can reduce dosing frequency.