ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to develop a gastroretentive drug delivery system of ketoprofen with suitable swelling and floating properties to reduce its irritant effect on the stomach and prolong its short duration of action up to 12 h. Floating tablets were prepared employing EC (ethylcellulose), NaCMC (sodium carboxy methylcellulose), HPMC K4M (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) (release retarding polymers), Sodium bicarbonate (gas-generating agent), Lactose and Avicel (fillers) by gas formation technique. Tablets were evaluated for drug content, weight variation, hardness, thickness, floating behavior, swelling ability and invitro drug release in 0.1 N HCl containing tween 20. The optimized formulations of F3, F4 and E2 exhibited prolonged drug release for 12 h, with short lag time (≤3 min) and long floating duration (≥24 h). ANOVA post hoc multiple comparisons was conducted for significance at P<0.05. Based on kinetic studies, formulations best fitted to Higuchi model. The results indicated that type and amount of polymer, type of fillers and amount of gas generating agent have influenced on drug release and floating behavior.