ABSTRACT:
The objective of the study was to develop a oral controlled release drug delivery system of lamivudine using non effervescent approach with hydrocolloid gel forming agent HPMC (hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose) and sodium alginate. Alginate beads of lamivudine were prepared by ionotropic gelation method. The prepared alginate beads were subjected to evaluation for particle size, incorporation efficiency and in vitro drug release characteristics. Alginate beads were discrete spherical and free flowing with smooth surfaces and completely covered with polymer coat. The alginate beads produced were smooth and small in size with an average diameter of about 506.19±7.2µm to 537.31±8.6µm. The prepared floating alginate beads were exhibited prolonged drug release (~12 hrs) and remained buoyant for greater than 12hrs.The release kinetics showed that the release of drug from the beads followed zero order kinetics. Drug release was controlled by diffusion from the alginate beads that was slow and spreads over an extended period of time depending upon the drug polymer ratio.