LAUSR

INTRODUCTION Clarithromycin (antibiotic), due to its narrow absorption window in gastrointestinal tract, was taken as a model drug. MATERIALS & METHODS Focusing on the efficient drug delivery system, floating tablets that remain buoyant over gastric fluid for 24 hrs were produced by adopting the Melt Mold method using beeswax, gelucire, and oleic acid. To modulate the release pattern, a different concentration of 48/16 of beeswax and gelucire was used. RESULTS To evaluate and characterize the final product, several tests, including the percentage recovery, in-vitro release studies, clarithromycin loading, Scanning electron microscopy, Differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray power diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, weight variation, hardness, and friability, were carried out. Regarding the results, the encapsulation efficiency of the floating tablets was 39.5% to 59%, having a weight variation with and without gelucire 48/16 0.09525±0.0032g, and 0.09527±0.00286g to 0.0957±0.00321g respectively. Clarithromycin release was controlled by using hydrophobic beeswax and hydrophilic gelucire 48/16. X-ray power diffractometry, differential scanning calorimeter, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the absence of drug-polymer interaction, amorphous, and crystalline form of the drug after encapsulation. Drug release kinetics were determined by applying the different models such as zero-order, first-order model, hi-guchi, and Korsemeyer-Pappas model. All formulations follow the Korsmeyer-Peppas model at 1.2 pH. CONCLUSION Gastro retentive drug delivery systems were produced by using melt molding technique. In vitro dissolution represents sustained release of drug from formulation.