Preparation and Characterization of Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose Gastroretentive Film using Metoclopramide HCl

Abstract

This study aimed to formulate a gastro retentive slow release dosage form based on oral film for metoclopramide hydrochloric acid (HCl), a medication with a narrow absorption window. The gastroretentive film was made using a solvent casting method with varying ratios of primary polymers (HPMC 15000 cps and HPMC K4M), secondary polymer (carbopol 934), and PEG-400 as a plasticizer. The film of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K4M-3 (50:50) (HPMC K4M: carbopol) was buoyant for 20 minutes. The 52 wt % of metoclopramide HCl (metclo) was released from the HPMC K4M-3 film after 24 hours, and its swelling index was (46.5%). The mucoadhesive strength of the HPMC K4M-3 was 18 gm, and the film showed no effect on the rat’s stomach tissue compared to normal rat tissue histologically. The HPMC K4M-3 produced modest values of percent elongation of 77.6%. To conclude, the optimized film appeared to be a promising mucoadhesive gastro retentive oral film with the ease of administration and controlled release.