FLOATING MICROSPONGES: - GASTRORETENTIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM

Jyoti* and Sandeep Kumar

ABSTRACT

Floating or Gastroretentive drug delivery system holds the advantage of both oral delivery and controlled delivery. Floating systems significantly extend the period of time, over which drug may be released and prolongs dosing intervals and increase patient compliance. These systems retain in stomach and improve the absorption window and thus enhance the bioavailability. The Microsponge Delivery System has been introduced to facilitate the controlled and targeted release of active drug. The Microsponge Delivery System (MDS) is a patented polymeric system consisting of porous microspheres. They are tiny sponge like spherical particles that consist of a myriad of interconnecting voids, releasing bioactive agent at a target site within a predetermined time. Microsponges having a myriad of interconnected size ranging voids of particle from 5-150 μm. Microsponges are prepared by several methods utilizing quasi emulsion system diffusion or by liquid– liquid suspension polymerization system. These microsponges have the capacity to entrap a wide range of active ingredients. Release of drug into the skin is initiated by a variety of triggers, including rubbing and higher than the ambient skin temperature. This technology has the best feature that it is self-sterilizing.

Keywords: FDDS, Microsponge, Quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method.