Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF METOPROLOL SUCCINATE MICROCAPSULES

Azagheswari, Binil Kuriokase, Sathireddy Padma and S. Padma Priya*

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to formulate and evaluate Metoprolol succinate microcapsules with a view to extend the release of drug to prolong its action and also to achieve desire concentration of drug in blood or tissue. Metoprolol succinate, is an anti-hypertensive drug with short biological half-life of 4-6 hrs, make it more suitable to be designed as a controlled release formulation. Preformulation studies were performed to assess the physical characterization, bulk characterization, flow properties, solubility and assay of the drugs. FTIR and DSC were also recorded to rule out the drug excipients compatibility. Microcapsules of the drug were prepared by temperature induced phase coacervation phase separation method using HPMC alone and HPMC and Ethyl cellulose in combination in the ratio of 1: 1, 1: 2 and 1: 3 and 1:3 respectively(MST1-MST3 & MSC3). The prepared microcapsules were analyzed for percent yield, drug content, drug load, percent entrapment efficiency, micromeritic properties and the results revealed the values were within the limit. The microcapsules of MSC3 were found to be discrete, free flowing and spherical as evident from SEM analysis. The in vitro drug release study showed that the percentage release of Metoprolol succinate from both polymers (HPMC 11.98±0.02% and EC 39.76±0.04% in 240 min) was more sustained than pure drug (99% in 120 min) and concluded that both HPMC and Ethyl cellulose were found to be a suitable polymers in developing microcapsules for a water soluble drug like Metoprolol succinate.

Keywords: Metoprolol succinnate, Microcapsules, in vitro drug release.