Floating matrix dosage form for phenoporlamine hydrochloride based on gas forming agent: in vitro and in vivo evaluation in healthy volunteers.

Phenoporlamine hydrochloride is a novel compound that is used for the treatment of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to develop a sustained release tablet for phenoporlamine hydrochloride because of its short biological half-life. Three floating matrix formulations of phenoporlamine hydrochloride based on gas forming agent were prepared. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M and Carbopol 971P NF were used in formulating the hydrogel drug delivery system. Incorporation sodium bicarbonate into matrix resulted in the tablet floating over simulated gastric fluid for more than 6h. The dissolution profiles of all tablets showed non-Fickian diffusion in simulated gastric fluid. Moreover, release of the drug from these tablets was pH-dependent. In vivo evaluations of these formulations of phenoporlamine hydrochloride were conducted in six healthy male human volunteers to compare the sustained release tablets with immediate release tablets. Data obtained in these studies demonstrated that the floating matrix tablet containing more Carbopol was capable of sustained delivery of the drug for longer periods with increased bioavailability and the relative bioavailability of formulation (containing 25% Carbopol 971P NF, 8.3% HPMC K4M) showed the best bioequivalency to the reference tablet (the relative bioavailability was 1.11+/-0.19).