Objective:

The present study was aimed to formulate and evaluate floating microspheres of lansoprazole. The research work’s objective was to retain lansoprazole in the stomach for a prolonged period of time, which has absorption window in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Methods:

The buoyant microspheres were prepared by using various composition of prescribe polymers. These prepared systems was evaluated with various parameters such as the physical properties i.e., flow properties determination, particle size measurement, shape and surface morphology, percentage yield, drug entrapment efficiency, in-vitro buoyancy percentage, in-vitro drug release studies and stability studies.

Results:

The drug (lansoprazole) powder bulk and tapped densities was found to be 0.231 gm/cm³ and 0.238 gm/cm³, respectively. The particle size of unmilled powder was 101 μm. The partition coefficient of lansoprazole was found to be 0.367 and the value of partition coefficient of drug showed that the drug was lipophilic in nature. Solvent evaporation method was found suitable for preparation of microspheres. The yield obtained in all batches was good. The size of microsphere ranged between 36.45 µm to 39.86 µm of all polymer containing microspheres. Percent entrapment of drug was between 92.24–100.24% depending on the different polymers with polymer. The in-vitro buoyancy profile also shown that prepared microspheres buoyant more than 25% upto 12 hrs. Drug loaded microspheres containing calcium alginate shows 99.24–99.99% till 24 hrs but polymer ethyl cellulose containing microspheres release 63.64–69.75% and egg albumin containing only 57.58–61.35% drug release and drug released about 58.67% after 12 hr. Floating buoyant microspheres F2 was found to be the best formulations having drug polymer combination in the ratio of 1:2 and stirring rate 300 rpm. This formulation was further formulated to the needful particle size for better retardant drug release upto 12 hr with better release profile.

Conclusion:

The formulation based on pulsatile release of drug through diffusion mechanism via microspheres showed variability in size, which is increasing with increasing polymeric concentration of same polymer.