Abstract

The present study was aimed to prepare a Floating Matrix drug delivery system for the Atorvastatin calcium, andevaluating the various processing parameters including the buoyancy studies and in vitro drug release studies. Fifteen formulations containing varying proportions of polymers like HPMC K100M, HPMC K15M, Ethyl Cellulose and Carbopol 934P and fixed amount of gasgenerating agent such as Sodium bi carbonate and Citric Acid and also MCC in varying concentration as a bulking agent. The tablets were prepared by direct compression technique and the prepared tablets remained buoyant for more than 12 hrs in therelease medium. Batch F15 prepared with different proportions of HPMC K4M, HPMC K100 M and Carbopol 934P showed significant difference in 105 secs, Floating lag time, Total floating time more than 18 hrs and 62.11% releaseupto 12 hrs of the drug which shows extended release may be more than 15 hrs. All theformulations exhibited diffusion dominant drug release. F15 batch also showed stable in means of % Drug Content as it shows no significant change performed as per ICH guidelines for 60 Days.

Key words: Floating Matrix tablets, Buoyancy, Sustained release, Atorvastatin calcium