Advanced Granulation and Formulation Strategies for Histamine H2 Receptor Antagonists in Peptic Ulcer Disease Management

Present work seeks to formulate floating tablets of famotidine Hydrochloride employing HPMC K4M, HPMC K15M and HPMC K100M polymers. The bulk density of the floating drug delivery systems is lower than the gastric fluid density and therefore has the potential to be suspended in the gastric cavity for long durations of time although the rate of gastric emptying is unaffected. Famotidine is classified as a histamine H2 receptor antagonist and it is on the World Health Organization's Model List of Essential Medicines used for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Due to its short half-life, short gastric resorption time and multiple dosages any formulator may suggest famotidine as an exceptional drug for formulating floating drug delivery systems. Famotidine floating tablets were developed by using HPMC K4M, HPMC K15M and HPMC K100M by melt granulation technique. The floating tablets were evaluated for following parameters: weight variation, hardness, friability, thickness, drug content, in-vitro buoyancy, drug polymer compatibility (IR study), and in-vitro dissolution studies of tablets. The micromeritic properties were observed to be satisfactory, the tablets were able to remain buoyant in the dissolution medium and the in vitro release studies indicated a good and rapid release nature of the tablets. Formulation F4 of HPMC K100M exhibited good in-vitro buoyancy lag time & floating time in which in lowering the density of all the formulations and in-vitro dissolution showed 96.78% drug release in 12 hrs