STUDIES ON THE RELEASE BEHAVIOR OF A POLYSACCHARIDE MATRIX

By means of in vitro experiments, the mechanism of drug release from t ablets prepared with scleroglucan, a polysaccharide that behaves as a gel-forming swellable matrix, was studied. Scleroglucan is not affecte d by environmental pH conditions and was found to be suitable for the formulation of slow release non-disintegrating oral dosage forms. Stud ies were performed with several model drugs under different environmen tal conditions. It was found that penetration of the solvent into the matrix is an important factor in determining the rate of drug delivery from this polymer.