Formulation and Evaluation of Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride Loaded Alginate Microbeads

Multiple unit dosage forms such as microbeads have increased acceptance because of added even spreading of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract, unvarying drug absorption, abridged local irritation and removal of undesirable intestinal retaining of polymeric material, when compared to non-disintegrating single unit dosage form. The purpose of the presented research is to develop microbeads of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride utilizing sodium alginate as the hydrophilic carrier in combination with HPMC as drug release modifier to lessen the dosing frequency and thereby advance the patient compliance. The microbeads were formulated by varying concentrations of HPMC and calcium chloride. The optimum formulation was chosen based upon in vitro drug release studies and further evaluated. The compatibility of drug-polymer was studied using FTIR analysis. The prepared formulation underwent evaluation for various parameters like drug entrapment, microbeads size, swelling index, mucoadhesive property and stability. No significant drug-polymer interactions were observed in compatibility studies and the formulation was found to be stable on 45 days storage. The formulations exhibited an extended drug release pattern which was the ultimate aim of the study. The microbeads represented good yield, high drug entrapment, low microbeads size and appropriate swelling property. The in vitro wash-off test indicated that the sodium alginate microbeads represent decent mucoadhesive properties. Henceforth, the formulated HPMC coated sodium alginate beads can be utilized as a substitute and cost-effective carrier for the oral controlled delivery of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. Keywords: microbeads, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, sodium alginate, drug releas