The aim of this research was to prepare floating microspheres consisting of (i) calcium silicate as porous carrier (ii) famotidine, an anti-ulcer agent and (iii) ethylcellulose as rate controlling polymer, by modified emulsion solvent diffusion technique and to evaluate their gastro-retentive and controlled release properties. The effect of process variables on the micromeritics properties, % yield, in-vitro floating behavior, mean particle size, percentage drug entrapment, and in-vitro drug release was studied. A 32 full factorial design employed to study the effect of drug: calcium silicate ratio and amount of ethylcellulose on % encapsulation efficiency, mean particle size and % drug release rate. Better entrapment, floating ability and drug release were obtained for batch F5 and F6.The mean particle size and % drug entrapment were increased but the drug release rate from the microspheres was decreased as the drug: calcium silicate ratio and amount of ethylcellulose were increased. The microspheres were found to be spherical in shape and highly porous. Thus, incorporation of calcium silicate in the microspheres proved to be an effective method to achieve the desired release pattern and buoyancy.
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