Development of a Floating Drug Delivery System for Prolonged Release of Metronidazole in the Stomach for Gastrointestinal Infection

Introduction: Gastroretentive Drug Delivery System like floating tablets out performs traditional dosing forms. When compared to conventional tablets, floating tablets have higher bioavailability, higher drug concentration in the systemic circulation, and lower frequency of dose. Metronidazole floating tablets were formulated using a variety of polymer combinations by the direct compression process. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP K132), Guar gum, and Xanthum gum are the polymers employed in the composition. Materials and Methods: The drug-excipient compatibility was determined by FTIR Spectroscopy and a total of nine formulations of floating tablets have been prepared. Among these, an appropriate formulation was chosen. The angle of repose, Bulk, and tapped density of metronidazole tablet mixes were previously evaluated. Carr's index, Hauser's ratio, physical appearance, hardness, weight fluctuation, friability, floating qualities, and in-vitro dissolving testing were used to characterize the tablets. Results: The flow properties were found optimum in all the pre-compression parameters and hence suitable for the direct compression method. The evaluation of tablets showed a good floating effect of about 4-7 hr in almost all the formulations. The floating tablets showed drug release of more than 92% after 6 hr and hence gastric retention was achieved. The study findings revealed that formulation 1 3 was the best, with a floating lag time of less than a minute and more than 7 hr of retention in the gastric pH with optimum floating behavior and drug release in the stomach. Conclusion: Hence, the prepared floating system involving a combination of polymers was found to be a reliable tool for gastric retention.