FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FLOATING CAPSULES OF PROPRANOLOL HCl USING MODIFIED PULSINCAP TECHNIQUE

Koteswara Rao GSN, Ramana Murthy KV, Subrahmanyam GSV

In our present investigation an attempt was made to apply modified pulsincap technique to develop floating capsules of propranolol HCl using PEO WSR 301. The formulation mixture was hand filled into the hardened body (formaldehyde exposed) and covered with unhardened cap. All the formulations with varying ratios of drug:polymer and varying time periods of exposure to formaldehyde vapors were evaluated for residual formaldehyde content, weight variation, drug content, in-vitrobuoyancy, drug release pattern, compatibility studies etc. The formulations F2.3 with drug-polymer ratio of 1:0.75 prepared by using 2 h exposed capsule body was found as the optimized formulation as it has satisfied the buoyancy characteristics, shown controlled release of 100% in 12 h asper USP criteria and utilized less polymer concentration among all formulations in addition to all other parameters assessed. Hence modified pulsincap technique can be successfully used for the development of floating capsules of propranolol HCl using PEOWSR 301.