PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RELEASE BEHAVIOR OF SALBUTAMOL SULFATE BEADS PREPARED WITH DIFFERENT IONIC POLYSACCHARIDES

Salbutamol sulfate beads were prepared using anionic and cationic poly saccharides, Gelrite and chitosan, respectively. Alginate beads were a lso prepared for comparison. The mean diameter, porosity, and drug con tent of the beads were determined. The beads were examined by scanning electron microscopy, (SEM), DSC, and x-ray diffraction. The drug rele ase from the bends was studied in 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2), distilled water, and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). The physical examination of the beads indicated the presence of drug crystals with no interaction between th e drug and polymers. The drug release was dependent on the ionic prope rties of the polymers and the pH of the release media. In acidic pH, c hitosan beads showed a rapid drug release, whereas a sustained drug re lease was obtained from Gelrite beads. In contrast, the drug release i n phosphate buffer was rapid from Gelrite, and chitosan showed a susta ined drug release. The results of drug release from Gelrite were compa rable to that from alginate beads. Gelrite is recommended as an anioni c polysaccharide for sustained-release preparations.