Abstract

Venlafaxine HCl is a new generation serotonin reuptake inhibitor drug having antidepressant activity with half-life of 4-5 hours. The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate microspheres of a highly water soluble drug, venlafaxine HCl by non-aqueous solvent evaporation method. Ethylcellulose(EC) (100 cps) and Eudragit RS-100 were selected as drug release retardant polymers and heavy liquid paraffin as a continuous phase. The prepared batches were evaluated for mean particle size, % encapsulation efficiency, % yield, % cumulative drug release and surface morphology. As concentration of polymer increased, In vitro drug release was decreased but % encapsulation efficiency and mean particle size of microspheres was increased. Microspheres prepared from EC showed higher particle size and sustained drug release as compared to microspheres prepared from Eudragit RS-100. From the release profile it was observed that all the formulations followed Higuchi model indicated that drug release was through diffusion from homogenous matrix.

Keywords

Venlafaxine HCl, Ethylcellulose, Eudragit RS-100, Microspheres, Higuchi model

Cite This Article

Jobanputra, U.M., Patel, K.S., Patel, P.D., Makwana, S.T., Oza, P.J., Ravat, M.K. (2012). Preparation and Evaluation of Venlafaxine HCl Microspheres, International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars (IJPRS), 1(2), 214-220.