PREPARATION AND DISSOLUTION CHARACTERISTICS OF PROLONGED RELEASE MEBEVERINE-HCL BEADS

Different batches of slow release mebeverine-HCl beads were prepared b y pan coating technique using different release retarding polymers viz Eudragit RL(100), Eudragit RS(100) and Ethyl cellulose. The thickness of the coats was controlled by changing the amounts of the added poly mers. Pre- and overcoating of the beads with bees wax was also carried out. Mixtures of pre-waxed Eudragit RS(100) coated and uncoated beads in different ratios were prepared to control both drug content and re lease. Dissolution profiles of mebeverine HCl from the prepared beads were investigated using USP XX rotating basket method. Prolonged relea se of mebeverine-HCl was obtained from different batches of the coated beads with the advantage of no initial dumping of the water soluble d rug. The release of mebeverine-HCl from the beads coated with acrylic resins and ethyl cellulose as well as waxed acrylic resins coated bead s was diffusion controlled according to Higuchi model. Beads coated wi th ethyl cellulose showed a different release pattern when pre- or ove rcoated with wax. By altering the ratios of prewaxed Eudragit Rs(100) coated and uncoated beads in formulated mixtures, it was possible to c ontrol both mebeverine-HCl content and release rate.