Open Pharmaceutical Sciences Journal

2015, 9 : 31-42
Published online 2015 November 16. DOI: 10.2174/1874844901502010031
Publisher ID: PHARMSCI-2-31

RESEARCH ARTICLE
An Overview on Polymethacrylate Polymers in Gastroretentive Dosage Forms

Pravin Gupta1, * , Manish Kumar2 and Narsingh Sachan3
1 Department of Pharmaceutics, Sir Madanlal Institute of Pharmacy, Etawah (U.P) - 206001, India
2 Department of Pharmaceutics, Rajiv Academy for Pharmacy, Mathura (U.P) - 281001, India
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, BBD University, Lucknow (U.P) - 226001, India

* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Pharmaceutics, Sir Madanlal Institute of Pharmacy, Etawah (U.P) - 206001, India; Mobile: +919837421012; E-mail: pravin.mpharm75@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Drugs with lower bioavailability need repeated dosing to reach the minimum effective therapeutic concentration in plasma. In order to retain the drug in upper part of gastro intestinal tract (GIT) which is the major absorption window for majority of drugs and also to have localized effect many advances in drug delivery were made. Researchers mainly emphasize on to get patient compliance by formulating single dose, targeted and minimal side effects dosage form. The design must give constant drug release for longer time period that could be achieved through proper selection of polymers. These approaches in dosage design may also be advantageous for local action, to prevent drug degradation, delivery of gastro-irritant, narrow absorption window drugs and to get pH dependent release throughout the GIT. Polymethacrylate polymers in different ratios are available for the above objective as they are inert materials, could stay for longer time and are resistant to body fluids. This review also discusses the physicochemical properties of different available grades along with their glass transition temperatures (Tg).

Keywords::

Eudragit, Gastro-intestinal transit time, Gastro-intestinal tract, Gastric-residence time, Glass transition temperature.