Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation of Sustained Release Floating Matrix Tablet of Levofloxacin by Direct Compression Method

The objective of the present work was to develop Gastro retentive dosage forms which would remain in the stomach and upper part or GIT for a prolonged period of time thereby maximizing the drug release at desired site within the time before GRDFs left the stomach and upper part of the GIT, has provoked a great deal of increased interest in the formulation of such drug as floating drug delivery systems. Levofloxacin, (BCS class I) is a fluoroquinolone anti-bacterial agent. The rationale for the formulation of floating matrix tablet are acidic solubility of levofloxacin, residence of Halicobactor pylori mainly in sub region of stomach and the overdosing associated adverse effect due to continuous intake of drug in acute infection. A simple visible spectrophotometric method was employed for the estimation of levofloxacin at 294 nm and Beer’s law is obeyed in the concentration range of 2-10 μg /ml. Floating matrix tablet of levofloxacin was prepared by direct compression method using different polymers like hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4) and carbopol 934 as matrix formation polymers, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid was used as gas generating agents. The FTIR spectra of the levofloxacin and other excipients alone and in combination show the compatibility of the drug and excipients. Six formulations of different polymer percentages were formulated (F1-F6). Pre-compression parameters were evaluated. The influence of matrix forming agents and binary mixtures of them on levofloxacin release was investigated. The formulated tablets were characterized by hardness, friability, thickness, weight variation and in vitro drug release. The formulated tablets had acceptable physicochemical characters. The data obtained from the in-vitro dissolution studies of optimized batch F4were fitted in different models. The optimized formulation F4 showed 99.25% drug content and swelling index of 79.85 %. Drug release mechanism was found to be first order kinetics. Levofloxacin floating tablets exhibited increased gastric residence time, there by improved bioavailability and therapeutic effect of the drug. &nbsp