IN SITU GEL AS PLATFORM FOR KETOCONAZOLE SLOW RELEASE DOSAGE FORM

Objective: The aim of this study was to formulate ketoconazole (keto) as oral floating in situ gel to slow the release of keto in the stomach.Methods: Sodium alginate (Na alginate) was used as a primary polymer in the preparation of the in situ gel and was supported by the following polymers: guar gum (GG), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K4M, K15M and carbapol 940 as viscosity enhancing agents. As a consequence, and to complete the gelation process of above formulations was by adding the calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The in situ gels were investigated by the following tests: floating lag time, floating duration, viscosity, drug content, in vitro gelling studies and in vitro release study.Results: The study showed that the faster release was obtained with F1 which contained Na alginate alone. Additionally, reduction in Na alginate concentration resulted in significant increase in drug release. It was also noted that the increase in GG (viscosity enhancing polymer) concentration resulted in non-significant decrease in percent drug release and the reduction in CaCO3 concentration led to significant increase in drug release. Moreover, the release of drug was also affected by grade of viscosity enhancing polymer, the faster release was observed with the formula which contained a polymer of low viscosity (HPMC K4M) and an opposite result was with the high viscosity polymer (HPMCK15M).Conclusion: This study showed the formulation of Na alginate with GG and CaCO3, led to gain floating in situ gel and a sustained release of keto.