Sustained Release of Indomethacin from Chitosan Granules

Abstract

The use of chitosan granules as a means to achieve sustained release of indomethacin was examined. In contrast with the rapid dissolution of indomethacin in powdered form, sustained but almost complete release from chitosan granules was observed. A unique characteristic of the chitosan granules was that they gradually swelled and floated on the acid medium at pH 1.2. This floating property of the granules on the acid medium can be applied to the formulation of sustained-release preparations of various drugs. The effect of cross-linking procedure on the drug release patterns from chitosan granules was also examined. The release rate of the drug from the granules could be controlled by varying the cross-linking procedure. Thus, chitosan might be useful as a vehicle for a sustained-release preparation of indomethacin in granular form.