Floating microspheres: to prolong the gastric retention time in stomach

Abstract

A gastroretentive drug delivery system with prolong retention time in the stomach have great practical importance for drugs with an absorption window in the upper small intestine. Floating drug delivery system are expected to remain buoyant in the gastric content for prolong duration of time thus enhance the bioavailability of drugs. There are several gastroretentive drug delivery systems, which are floating microspheres, granules, tablets, powder, pills, laminated films and capsules. Floating microspheres are gaining special attention because of their wide applicability in the targeting of drug to stomach. Floating microspheres have several advantages, that they remain buoyant in the stomach and distributed uniformly to avoid the vagaries of gastric emptying and release the drug for prolong period of time.