Abstract

FLOATING MICROSPHERE: A REVIEW

Aakashsinh Vaghela*, Dr. Mittal Maheshwari and Dr. Pragnesh Patani

ABSTRACT

Floating microspheres (Hollow Microspheres) are gastro-retentive drug delivery systems based on non-effervescent approach. Hollow microspheres are in strict sense, spherical empty particles without core, free flowing powders consisting of proteins or synthetic polymers, ideally having a size in the range 1-1000 micro meter. Gastro-retentive floating microspheres are low-density systems that have sufficient buoyancy to float over gastric contents and remain in stomach for prolonged period. The drug is released slowly at desired rate resulting in increased gastric retention with reduced fluctuations in plasma drug concentration. The Physiological problems like short gastric residence time and unpredictable gastric emptying time were overcome with the use of floating dosage forms which provide opportunity for both local and systemic effect. Floating drug delivery system enable prolonged and continuous input of the drug to the upper part of the gastro retention tract and improve the bioavailability of medication that is characterized by a narrow absorption window. This review article is in pursuit of giving detailed information on the pharmaceutical basis of their design, classification, advantages, in vitro and in vivo evaluation parameters, and application of floating systems, and applications of these systems. These systems are useful to several problems encountered during the development of a pharmaceutical dosage form and the future potential of FDDS. At attempt has been made in this review article to introduce the readers to current development in floating drug delivery system.

Keywords: Floating microspheres, Gastro Retention, Short half-life, Solvent diffusion, Gastric residence time, floating drug delivery system, classification, in-vitro evaluation.