DEVELOPMENT OF FAMOTIDINE FLOATING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM USING NATURAL POLYMERS

In the present study,FDDS of Famotidine, a copmpetative inhibitor of histamine H₂ receptors were prepared by using natural gums viz. xanthan gum and guar gum at different drug to gum ratio using sodium bicarbonate and citric acid as gas generating agents and lactose as diluent.FDDS tablets were prepared by wet granulation technique using PVP K30 as granulating agent. The prepared FDDS tablets were evaluated for its pre compression characteristics like bulk density, angle of repose, true density and compresibility index and post compression parameters such as hardness, friability, uniformity of drug content,  in  vitro floating studies, in vitro dissolution studies. The physical evaluation of all the formulations showed values within the prescribed limits for tests like hardness, friability and weight variation which indicate that the prepared tablets are of standard quality. The floating lag time of all the formulations was less than 10 minutes,All the formulations showed good matrix integrity and retarded the release of drug for 10 hours. Formulation X3 containg drug: xantahne gum ratio of 1:3 showed zero order kinetics, the IR spectroscopic studies indicated that the drug was compatible with the polymer and co-excipients and therefore can be a promising alternative to the existing dosage form.