Formulation and Evaluation of Propranolol Hydrochloride Floating Beads

The objective of the present study was to develop floating alginate beads of Propranolol hydrochloride for oral use with a point of view to treat hypertension. Propranolol is retained in the stomach for a prolonged period of time. The drug is stable and easily absorbable in an acidic medium. Its elimination half-life is about 3-6 hrs and its bioavailability is up to 25 %. Among the various approaches to achieve gastric retention time, the gastric floating drug delivery system is one approach selected to prolong the floating behavior of the alginate beads. For this purpose sodium alginate was used as a matrix bead forming agent, mineral oil as buoyancy imparting agent, and hydrophilic swellable polymers like HPMC K100, Eudragit S-100, Agar, Starch, and SSG were used as key ingredients to achieve the objective.