Process and Parameters Affecting Drug Release Performance of Prepared Cross-linked Alginate Hydrogel Beads for Ezetimibe

Objective: The objective of this study was to formulate an oral sustained release delivery system of ezetimibe mucoadhesive beads by ionic gelation technique based on sodium alginate used as a hydrophilic carrier in combination with carbopol 934P which acts as a rate modifier. Methods: Microbeads of ezetimibe were prepared using an easy method of ionotropic gelation by little modification while in addition of drug. The prepared beads were characterised for mean particle size, entrapment efficiency, swelling capacity, and in vitro release. They were also subjected to various studies such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) Spectroscopy for drug polymer reaction, Scanning Electron Microscopy for surface morphology, and Differential Scanning Calorimetric Analysis to determine the physical state of the drug in the beads. Results: The microspheres of ezetimibe were formulated successfully. The addition of drug concentration gives higher drug loading and higher conc. of Alcl+3 Conclusion: It can be concluded that beads produced by the sequential method had higher drug entrapment. Beads produced by simultaneous yields larger beads in diameter. The concept was cleared that drug release was dependent upon the quantity of polymer and increase in conc. of. aluminium chloride retarded the drug release in the sequential method. Prepared beads enhance the dissolution of ezetimibe and the oral bioavailability and also reduce the fluctuations in the oral bioavailability. yields small diameter beads and lower drug entrapment. Analysis of the release profiles showed that the data corresponds to zero order release and the diffusion-controlled mechanism as suggested by Higuchi concept.