Preformulation Studies for an Intra-Gastric Floating Drug Delivery System of Clarithromycin to Sustain Its Release

The development of an intragastric floating drug delivery system (FDDS) for clarithromycin aims to enhance its bioavailability and sustain its release within the stomach. Clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, is widely used to treat Helicobacter pylori and respiratory tract infections but suffers from poor solubility in gastric fluids and limited bioavailability. This study focused on preformulation studies, including organoleptic evaluation, solubility analysis, drug-excipient compatibility studies using FT-IR and DSC analysis, and in vitro drug release profiling. The floating system was designed using sodium alginate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to achieve buoyancy and controlled drug release. The results demonstrated that the formulation remained buoyant for an extended period, ensuring sustained drug release and improved therapeutic efficacy. These findings support the potential of FDDS to enhance the clinical benefits of clarithromycin.