Formulation, Development and Evaluation of Floating Microspheres of Nizatidine for Gastroretentive Drug Delivery

Floating microspheres loaded with Nizatidine were prepared using solvent- evaporation method using HPMC, Eudragit RL 100, Eudragit RLPO in different ratio polymers. Drug and polymer in proportion of drug and polymers were dissolved in 1:2 mixture of solvent system of ethanol and dichloromethane. Floating microspheres of Nizatidine were prepared by a solvent diffusion- evaporation method. The nature of polymer influenced the physical characteristics as well as floating behaviour of the microspheres. In vitro buoyancy and in vivo studies confirmed the excellent floating properties of HPMC, Eudragit RL 100, Eudragit RLPO microspheres. The drug release was sufficiently sustained and non-Fickian transport of the drug from floating microspheres was confirmed. Hence the floating microspheres of Nizatidine, may provide a convenient dosage form for achieving best performance regarding flow, release and floating properties. Further, their potential to improve Nizatidine bioavailability in humans needs to be investigated in further studies.