FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FAMOTIDINE FLOATING MICROSPHERES WITH SUITABLE POLYMERS

The study aimed to develop and evaluate floating microspheres of Famotidine for prolonged gastric retention and controlled drug release using the ionic gelation method. Polymers such as Sodium Alginate, HPMC, and Sodium Bicarbonate were used to enhance buoyancy and sustain release. The prepared microspheres exhibited good floating ability, uniform shape, and high drug entrapment with controlled release characteristics. FTIR and DSC analyses confirmed the absence of drug–polymer interaction, ensuring formulation stability. The optimized formulation showed effective buoyancy, swelling, and sustained release over an extended period. The drug release followed zero-order kinetics, indicating a constant release rate independent of concentration. The developed floating microspheres proved to be a promising gastroretentive system for improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance in the treatment of gastric ulcers.