DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF GASTRORETENTIVE TABLETS FOR CONTROLLED DELIVERY OF NORFLOXOCIN.

Floating matrix tablets were designed to prolong the gastric residence time after oral administration and to achieve the controlled release of norfloxocin to treat urinary tract infections. Norfloxocin was chosen a model drug because it is poorly absorbed from the lower gastrointestinal tract. The tablets were prepared bywet granulation technique, using polymers such as Hydroxyl Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC), Carbopol 934P. Sodium bicarbonate used as a gas generating agent was kept constant for all the formulations. Therate of release of Norfloxocin was controlled by quantity of Hydroxyl Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMC) and Carbopol 934P where as, HPMC and Sodium carbonate was added to achieve buoyancy in 0.1N HCl.Further; tablets were evaluated for in vitro release characteristics for 24 h, buoyancy lag-time and swelling index were evaluated.