Influence of acrylic esters and methacyrlic esters on flotation of pellets and release rate of verapamil hydrochloride.

Eudragit RL (ERL) and Eudragit RS (ERS) are biocompatible cationic copolymers, pH-independent and insoluble in aqueous environment. In this study drug delivery system consisting of a capsule filled with floating pellets with verapamil hydrochloride (VH) is proposed. The release of VH in the stomach results in better solubility in an acid gastric environment in vivo and may result in greater amount of the VH absorbed and its higher concentration in plasma. The scope of this study was to investigate the influence of ERL and ERS ratio on VH release in 0,1 M HCl from floating coating pellets. The stability of this film was also investigated. The ERL film is much more permeable than ERS, and an increase of ERL film thickness did not retard the release rate. The combination of ERL and ERS are forms of the sustained release film. It was a necessary to add the uncoated pellets, which constituted the initial dose. The start of flotation depends on permeability of polymeric film, and decreases with addition of ERS. There is no change in the start flotation time after 12 months under room condition (25 degrees C/60% RH). The drug delivery from uncoated pellets and pellets coated with ERL/ERS is stable after 12 months under room condition (25 degrees C/60% RH).