Multiparticulate Floating Beads an Aid to Enhance Therapeutic Efficacy of Rabeprazole

Background: Rabeprazole sodium is a newer generation anti-ulcer drug with short half-life and low bioavailability. Present research work is an attempt to design novel floating beads of Rabeprazole sodium in multiparticulate dosage form to increase residence time and modulate its release behavior for stomach-specific delivery. Materials and Methods: In this present study, Rabeprazole sodium beads were formulated by ionotropic gelation method and effect of variation in sodium alginate and gellan gum concentrations alone and in combination on release properties was examined. Results: Formulated beads were analyzed for particle size, density, entrapment efficiency, swelling index, in vitro buoyancy properties, surface topography, in vitro drug release and release kinetics study. The percentage content and entrapment efficiency of Rabeprazole sodium in beads ranged from 77.06±3.612 to 92.88±5.723 and 57±1.543 to 89±1.089 respectively. In vitro drug release of Rabeprazole sodium from the beads at the end of 12 hr ranged from 69.373% to 97.0142%. The release behavior was best fitted in Korsemeyer-Peppas equation. F9 was optimized depending on entrapment efficiency, in vitro buoyancy properties and in vitro drug release. Modified formulation F9 was also subjected to a series of tests. mucoadhesive study, in vivo X-ray imaging in rabbits and stability study. Conclusion: These studies revealed that beads exihibited 84% mucoadhesion, floating up to 12 hr as well as stability at 25±2°C. Hence Floating bead formulation of Rabeprazole sodium will be a promising drug delivery system to improve drug residence time and patient compliance.