Development and optimization of multiparticulate drug delivery system of alfuzosin hydrochloride.

The purpose of present research was to develop and optimize sustained release floating pellets of alfuzosin hydrochloride which has narrow absorption window in proximal intestine to improve patient compliance and therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The system was designed to provide drug loaded pellets coated with three successive coatings over Celphere(®) (microcrystalline cellulose pellets) - drug layer, effervescent layer (HPMC and sodium bicarbonate) and gas entrapped polymeric membrane (Kollicoat(®) SR 30D). A 3(2) factorial design was employed with HPMC:sodium bicarbonate and Kollicoat(®) SR 30D concentration as independent variables while drug release and floating lag time were the dependent variables. Regression analysis was performed to identify best formulation conditions. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study pellet morphology. The floating ability and in vitro drug release of the system were dependent on amount of sodium bicarbonate layered onto pellets and coating level of Kollicoat(®) SR 30D.