Formulation & evaluation of floating microspheres of flupirtine maleate

Abstract

Flupirtine is an amino pyridine that functions as a centrally acting non-opioid, non-steroidal analgesic. It is a selective neuronal potassium channel opener that also has NMDA receptor antagonist properties. Its muscle relaxant properties make it popular for back pain and other orthopedics uses and it is also used for migraines, in oncology, postoperative care, and gynecology,  and its neuro-protective properties make it for possible use in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. It has also been proposed as a possible treatment for Batten disease. Controlled release dosage forms of flupirtine maleate were prepared so as to release drug moiety in delayed action around 0.001 to 20 parts for each parts by weight and the release rate is to be 5 to 300 mg / hr. Floating microspheres were prepared with the help of Ethyl Cellulose, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose polymer & Tween 80 as a surfactant with ethanol, dicholromethane as solvents. Different formulations were characterized in terms of Buoyancy study, Particle size, SEM, Entrapment efficiency, Release kinetic.