酒石酸美托洛尔双脉冲片的研制

目的:制备酒石酸美托洛尔双脉冲片。方法:采用混合粉末直接压片法制备3层片芯(2层速释层和1层阻滞层),采用干压包衣技术制备杯形片,以时滞时间和累积释药率为指标,评价杯形片的顶层阻滞层辅料、用量以及压片硬度对释放行为的影响,确定片芯速释层和阻滞层处方及用量。结果:顶层阻滞层的辅料、用量以及压片硬度对释药时滞和累积释药率都有影响。确定了片芯速释层和阻滞层的处方和硬度;顶层阻滞层的用量为0.12g,可达到4h的第1个脉冲效果;片芯阻滞层的用量为70mg,可达到8h的第2个脉冲效果。结论:研制的酒石酸美托洛尔双脉冲片体外释放达到双脉冲要求。     

盐酸维拉帕米双脉冲多相释药杯形片的研制

本文制备了盐酸维拉帕米(verapamil hydrochloride， VH)的三层片芯及四层片芯杯形片， 分别达到脉冲控释双相释药及双脉冲多相释药。用混合粉末直接压片法制备多层片芯， 干压包衣技术制备盐酸维拉帕米杯形片， 以释药时滞(T_lag)评价杯形片顶层重量、 羟丙基甲基纤维素HPMC用量及压片压力对药物的释放效果。结果表明， 顶层重量增加及HPMC用量增大时， T_lag延长； 压片压力在6～10 kg·cm^-2时， 压力增大， 时滞延长。杯形片中药物主要通过顶层单面释药， 阻滞层(顶层及多层片芯中的缓释层)的溶蚀速率是决定释药时滞的关键因素。     

Development of Press-Coated,Floating-Pulsatile Drug Delivery of Lisinopril

Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, primarily used for the treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure, and heart attack. It belongs to BCS class III having a half-life of 12 hrs and 25% bioavailability. The purpose of the present work was to develop a press-coated, floating-pulsatile drug delivery system. The core tablet was formulated using the super-disintegrants crosprovidone and croscarmellose sodium. A press-coated tablet (barrier layer) contained the polymer carrageenan, xanthan gum, HPMC K4M, and HPMC K15M. The buoyant layer was optimized with HPMC K100M, sodium bicarbonate, and citric acid. The tablets were evaluated for physical characteristics, floating lag time, swelling index, FTIR, DSC, and in vitro and in vivo behavior. The 5% superdisintgrant showed good results. The FTIR and DSC study predicted no chemical interactions between the drug and excipients. The formulation containing xanthan gum showed drug retaining abilities, but failed to float. The tablet containing HPMC K15M showed a high swelling index. The lag time for the tablet coated with 200 mg carrageenan was 3±0.1 hrs with 99.99±1.5% drug release; with 140 mg HPMC K4M, the lag time was 3±0.1 hrs with 99.71±1.2% drug release; and with 120 mg HPMC K15M, the lag time was 3±0.2 hrs with 99.98±1.7% drug release. The release mechanism of the tablet followed the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation and a first-order release pattern. Floating and lag time behavior have shown good in vitro and in vivo correlations.     

Release kinetics of salbutamol sulphate from wax coated microcapsules and tableted microcapsules.

Microcapsules of salbutamol sulphate were prepared using beeswax and carnauba wax as coating materials. In vitro release kinetics were studied following the zero order, first order and Higuchi equations. Beeswax alone was not effective but beeswax and carnauba wax combinations were suitable in controlling the in vitro release of the drug. Microcapsules were compressed into tablets to get a controlled release oral dosage form. Release from tableted microcapsules was significantly more prolonged than the respective batches of the microcapsules. Best data fit with the highest correlation coefficient for the tableted microcapsules was obtained for first order.     

Formulation and development of release modulated colon targeted system of meloxicam for potential application in the prophylaxis of colorectal cancer

The objective of the present study was to develop a colon targeted system of meloxicam for potential application in the prophylaxis of colorectal cancer. Efficacy of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors has been proven in colorectal cancer. Meloxicam is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor with pH-dependent solubility. To achieve pH-independent drug release of meloxicam, pH modifying agents (buffering agents) were used. Meloxicam tablets containing polyethylene oxide were dually coated with ethyl cellulose containing hydrophilic material, polyethylene glycol as an inner coating layer and methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid copolymer (Eudragit? FS 30D) as outer coating layer for colon targeting. Optimized tablet formulations demonstrated good potential to deliver the drug to the colon by successfully exhibiting a lag time of 5?h during in vitro drug release study. An in vivo evaluation study conducted to ascertain pharmacokinetic parameters in rabbits revealed that the onset of drug absorption from the coated tablets (T(lag time)?=?4.67?±?0.58?h) was significantly delayed compared to that from the uncoated tablets. The AUC(0→)(t) and AUC(0→∞) for coated tablets were lower than of uncoated tablets, although the difference was not significant (p?>?0.01). The roentgenography study revealed that the tablet remained intact, until it reached the colon (5?h), which demonstrates that the system can efficiently deliver the drug to the colon. This study demonstrated that a meloxicam-loaded colon targeted system exhibited promising targeting and hence may be used for prophylaxis of colorectal cancer.     

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The objective of the present study was to develop a colon targeted system of meloxicam for potential application in the prophylaxis of colorectal cancer. Efficacy of selective cyclooxygenase–2 inhibitors has been proven in colorectal cancer. Meloxicam is a selective cyclooxygenase–2 inhibitor with pH-dependent solubility. To achieve pH-independent drug release of meloxicam, pH modifying agents (buffering agents) were used. Meloxicam tablets containing polyethylene oxide were dually coated with ethyl cellulose containing hydrophilic material, polyethylene glycol as an inner coating layer and methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and methacrylic acid copolymer (Eudragit^® FS 30D) as outer coating layer for colon targeting. Optimized tablet formulations demonstrated good potential to deliver the drug to the colon by successfully exhibiting a lag time of 5?h during in vitro drug release study. An in vivo evaluation study conducted to ascertain pharmacokinetic parameters in rabbits revealed that the onset of drug absorption from the coated tablets (T_{lag time}?=?4.67?±?0.58?h) was significantly delayed compared to that from the uncoated tablets. The AUC_0→t and AUC_0→∞ for coated tablets were lower than of uncoated tablets, although the difference was not significant (p?>?0.01). The roentgenography study revealed that the tablet remained intact, until it reached the colon (5?h), which demonstrates that the system can efficiently deliver the drug to the colon. This study demonstrated that a meloxicam-loaded colon targeted system exhibited promising targeting and hence may be used for prophylaxis of colorectal cancer.     

Formulation design of double-layer in the outer shell of dry-coated tablet to modulate lag time and time-controlled dissolution function: Studies on micronized ethylcellulose for dosage form design (VII)

The dry-coated tablet with optimal lag time was designed to simulate the dosing time of drug administration according to the physiological needs. Different compositions of ethylcellulose (EC) powder with a coarse particle (167.5 microm) and several fine particles (< 6 microm), respectively, were mixed to formulate the whole layer of the outer shell of dry-coated tablets. The formulations containing different weight ratios of coarse/fine particles of EC powders or 167.5 microm EC powder/excipient in the upper layer of the outer shell to influence the release behavior of sodium diclofenac from dry-coated tablet were also explored. The results indicate that sodium diclofenac released from all the dry-coated tablets exhibited an initial lag period, followed by a stage of rapid drug release. When the mixture of the coarse/fine particles of EC powders was incorporated into the whole layer, the lag time was almost the same. The outer shell broke into 2 halves to make a rapid drug release after the lag time, which belonged to the time-controlled disruption of release mechanism. When the lower layer in the outer shell was composed of 167.5 microm EC powder and the upper layer was formulated by mixing different weight ratios of 167.5 microm and 6 microm of EC powders, the drug release also exhibited a time-controlled disruption behavior. Its lag time might be freely modulated, depending on the amount of 6 microm EC powder added. Once different excipients were respectively incorporated into the upper layer of the outer shell, different release mechanisms were observed as follows: time-controlled explosion for Explotab, disruption for Avicel and spray-dried lactose, erosion for dibasic calcium phosphate anhydrate, and sigmoidal profile for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.     

Controlled Drug Release of Highly Water-Soluble Pentoxifylline from Time-Limit Disintegration-Type Wax Matrix Tablets

A pulsatile drug release system with a dry-coated tablet containing pentoxifylline was investigated for controlling drug release in the gastrointestinal tract. The system consisted of a core tablet with disintegrator and outer layer, which obtained compression from the ground mixtures of pentoxifylline and behenic acid. Drug release from a dry-coated tablet was investigated at 37°C in JPXII 2nd fluid at pH 6.8. The drug release from the outer layer was fitted to the Cobby model. The drug release from the wax matrix increased significantly after tablet disintegration; therefore, the drug release profiles showed typical sigmoidal curves. The disintegration time depended on the weight fraction of the core tablet, and the drug release rate after disintegration increased with increasing drug concentration in the core tablet. The relationship between the time required for 50% drug release and the disintegration time was linear, indicating that the drug release rate was controlled by regulating the disintegration time.     

盐酸普萘洛尔脉冲释放片的制备及其体外释药研究

目的 制备盐酸普萘洛尔双层包衣脉冲释放片,并研究其体外释药行为。方法 采用粉末直接压片法制备盐酸普萘洛尔片芯,滚转包衣锅法分别包羟丙甲纤维素溶胀层和丙烯酸树脂控释层。采用体外溶出试验考察处方及溶出条件对本品释药行为的影响。结果 本品经过一定时滞后以脉冲形式释药,渗透活性物质氯化钠、溶胀层及控释层厚度、丙烯酸树脂RS/RL的配比均影响本品时滞。溶出方法及不同pH溶出介质对本产品的时滞无影响。结论 盐酸普萘洛尔脉冲释放片具有脉冲释放特性,体外时滞约为4 h。     

Characterization of 5-fluorouracil release from hydroxypropylmethylcellulose compression-coated tablets

Hydrogel compression-coated tablets are able to release the core drug after a period of lag time and have potential for colon-specific drug delivery based on gastrointestinal transit time concept. This study investigated the factors influencing in vitro release characteristics of a model drug 5-fluorouracil from hydroxypropylmethycellulose (HPMC) compression-coated tablets. The core tablet, prepared by a wet granulation compression method, was designed to disintegrate and dissolute quickly. To prepare the compression-coated tablets, 50% of the HPMC/lactose coat powder was precompressed first, followed by centering the core tablet and compressing with the other 50% of the coat powder. Release characteristics were evaluated in distilled water by using a Chinese Pharmacopoeia rotatable basket method. Effect of HPMC viscosity, lactose content in outer shell, and overall coating weight of outer shell on release lag time (T(lag)), and zero-order release rate (k) were studied. Release of drug from compression-coated tablets began after a time delay as a result of hydrogel swelling/retarding effect, followed by zero-order release for most of the formulations studied. HPMC of higher viscosity (K4M and K15M) provided better protection of the drug-containing core, showing increased release lag time and slower release rate. Incorporating lactose in outer shell led to decrease of T(lag) and increase of k. T(lag) and k are exponentially and linearly correlated to lactose content, expressed as weight percentage of the outer shell. Larger coating weight (W) of outer shell produced larger coating thickness (D) around core tablet, which resulted in increase in T(lag) and decrease in k. There was good fitting of a linear model for each of the four variables W, D, T(lag), and k. Hardness of the compression-coated tablets and pHs of the release media had little effect on drug release profile. It is concluded that the release lag time and release rate are able to be tailored through adjusting the formulation variables to achieve colon-specific drug delivery of 5-fluorouracil.     

Release behavior and photo-image of nifedipine tablet coated with high viscosity grade hydroxypropylmethylcellulose: effect of coating conditions

An orally applicable nifedipine-loaded core tablets was coated using high viscosity grade HPMC (100,000 cps) in ethanol/water cosolvent. The release of coated tablet was evaluated using USP paddle method in 900 ml of simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) for 2 h followed by intestinal fluid (pH 6.8) for 10 h. The surface morphologies using scanning electron microscope and photo-images using digital camera of coated tablet during the release test were also visualized, respectively. The viscosity of hydro-alcoholic HPMC solution largely decreased as the amount of ethanol increased. There was no significant difference in viscosity among plasticizers used. The distinct and continuous coated layer was observed using scanning electron microscope. However, the surface morphologies were highly dependent on HPMC concentration and ratio of coating solvents. The higher ratio of ethanol/water gave a longer lag time prior to drug release. Lag time also increased as a function of the coating levels based on weight gains due to increased thickness of coated layer. Lag time is inversely correlated with HPMC concentration in ethanol/water (5:1) cosolvent. As the HPMC concentration slightly decreased from 3.8 to 3.2% in hydroalcoholic coating solution, a large increase of lag time was observed. As the swelling (mixing) time of high viscosity grade HPMC in ethanol/water cosolvent increased from 1 to 5 h, the release rate was decreased due to enough plasticization of polymer. Based on photo-imaging analysis, the coated tablet was initially swelled and gelled without erosion and disintegration over 5 h. The disintegration of the coated tablet was occurred approximately 7 h after dissolution, resulting in pulsed release of drug. The high viscosity grade HPMC can be applicable for polymeric coating after careful selection of solvent systems. The release behavior and lag time could be controlled by coating conditions such as HPMC concentration, ethanol/water ratio as a coating solvent, coating level and swelling (mixing) time of coating solution. The current time-controlled release tablet coated with high viscosity grade HPMC with a designated lag time followed by a rapid release may provide an alternative to site specific or colonic delivery of drugs. In addition, the release behavior can be matched with body's circadian rhythm pattern in chronotherapy.     

A novel system for three-pulse drug release based on "tablets in capsule" device

The objective of the present study was to obtain programmed drug delivery from a novel system, which contains a water-soluble cap, impermeable capsule body, and two multi-layered tablets. Types of materials for the modulating barrier and its weight can significantly affect the lag time (defined as the time when drug released 8% of the single pulse dosage). We chose sodium alginate and hydroxy-propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC E5) as the candidate modulating barrier material. Through adjusting ratio of sodium alginate and lactose, lag time was controllable between the first two pulsatile release. Linear relationship was observed between the ratio and the lag time. Through adjusting the ratio of HPMC E5/lactose, lag time between the second and the third pulse can be successfully modulated. In further studies, drug release rate of the second pulsatile dose can be improved by adding a separating layer between the third and the modulating barrier layer in the three-layered tablet. To evaluate contribution of bulking agent to drug release rate, lactose, sodium chloride, and effervescent blend were investigated. No superiority was found using sodium chloride and effervescent blend. However, lactose favored it. The results reveal that programmed drug delivery to achieve pulsatile drug release for three times daily can be obtained from these tablets in capsule system by systemic formulation approach.     

Novel time and site specific “tablets in capsule” system for nocturnal asthma treatment

The objective of present work was to develop a “tablets in capsule” system for facilitating both immediate and pulsatile drug deliveries of theophylline to mimic the circadian rhythm of nocturnal asthma. The system comprised of capsule filled with two tablets, first pulse and second pulse tablet prepared by wet granulation method. First pulse tablet was not coated and was responsible for providing loading dose whereas; second pulse tablet was coated with Eudragit L100 and Eudragit S100 to release drug in colon after specific lag time. Two independent variables, amount of polymers and coating thickness, were optimized by 3² full factorial design. The optimum formulation consisted of Eudragit L100: Eudragit S100 in 1:1.5 ratio and coating thickness of 20 % (w/w). In vitro drug release of “tablets in capsule” system in three different media (pH 1.2, pH 6.8, and pH 7.4) revealed immediate and pulsatile release patterns.     

Time-release compression-coated core tablet containing nifedipine for chronopharmacotherapy

Compression-coated time-release tablets (CC tablets) containing nifedipine, dihydropyridine Ca channel blocker, in the core tablet were prepared by dry coating with different polyethylene oxide-polyethylene glycol mixtures. Each formulation showed a clear lag period before nifedipine release initiation, followed by sustained drug release lasting up to 24 h. The lag time of nifedipine release increased as the amount of polyethylene oxide in the outer layer increased. To investigate the applicability of such CC-tablets for chronopharmacotherapy, the pharmacokinetics of CC-1 and CC-2 tablets, with different in vitro lag times before drug release, were compared with the pharmacokinetics of a sustained-release (SR) tablet in dogs. The times of first nifedipine appearance (TFA) in plasma were 0.7 ± 0.3 h for SR, 2.5 ± 1.2 h for CC-1, and 5.3 ± 1.0 h for CC-2. These data show a significant difference in in vivo lag time (P < 0.01) among the three formulations that correlates with the in vitro lag times. Thus, the in vivo lag time could be predicted from the in vitro lag time. Additionally, higher plasma nifedipine concentrations were observed at 8 h after administration of the CC-2 than that observed for the SR-tablet. These results indicate that a CC-tablet with a lag time before drug release is a potentially useful formulation for chronopharmacotherapy that can control the time and duration of plasma drug concentration better than existing SR technologies.     

Release characteristics and in vitro-in vivo correlation of pulsatile pattern for a pulsatile drug delivery system activated by membrane rupture via osmotic pressure and swelling.

This study attempted to characterize the influence of core and coating formulations on the release profiles to establish in vitro/in vivo correlations of pulsatile pattern for a pulsatile drug delivery system activated by membrane rupture based on three core tablet formulations (A-core: HPMC 50+4000cps, B-core: E10M, and C-core: K100M) coated with various thicknesses of a semipermeable ethylcellulose membrane plasticized with HPMC 606 (Pharmacoat 606) at different ratios with/without adding various amounts of water to dissolve it in the coating solution. Drug release behaviors were investigated using apparatus II in four media of pH 1.2 solution, pH 6.8 buffer, deionized water, and a NaCl solution rotated at 75, 100, and 150rpm. Pilot studies of the in vivo pharmacokinetics were conducted as well for comparison with the in vitro results. Results demonstrated that drug release from the three kinds of core tablets in deionized water increased with an increasing stirring rate, and decreased with an increasing viscosity grade of HPMC used in the core formulations. A significant promotion of drug release from core tablets was observed for the three levels of NaCl media in comparison with that in deionized water. Results further demonstrated that a slightly slower release rate in pH 1.2 solution and a faster release rate in pH 6.8 buffer than that in deionized water were observed for the A-core and B-core tablets, with the former being slower than the latter. However, similar release rates in the three kinds of media were observed for C-core tablets, but they were slower than those for the A- and B-core tablets. Dissolution of coated tablets showed that the controlling membrane was ruptured by osmotic pressure and swelling which activated drug release with a lag time. The lag time was not influenced by the pH value of the release medium or by the rotation speeds. The lag time increased with a higher coating level, but decreased with the addition of the hydrophilic plasticizer, Pharmacoat 606, and of the water amount in the coating solution. The lag time also increased with a higher concentration of NaCl in the medium. The release rate after the lag time was determined by the extent of retardation of gelation of HPMC in the core tablet based on the ionic strength of the medium. Results of the three pilot crossover studies for the exemplified pulsatile systems indicated that the lag time for the in vivo plasma profile was well correlated with that determined from the in vitro release profile in pH 1.2 solution and the in vivo release rate was better reflected by that performed in pH 6.8 buffer.     

Design and optimization of colon-targeted system of theophylline for chronotherapy of nocturnal asthma

The objective of the present work was to develop a delayed-onset controlled-release colon-targeted system of theophylline, and to achieve the chronotherapy of nocturnal asthma. The formulation consisted of a core tablet containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose used for achieving controlled release of drug, and a Eudragit S100:ethyl cellulose (EC) coating capable of delaying the drug release. The system was optimized using a 3(2) full factorial design, wherein two factors [ratio of Eudragit S100:EC and the coating level (% w/w)] were evaluated for lag time, t(50) and t(80) . The optimum formulation consisted of Eudragit S100:EC in a 60:40 ratio and a coating level of 7.5% (w/w). Results showed that the tablets prepared according to the optimized values released no drug in the upper part of gastrointestinal tract; drug release was initiated at pH 6.4 (colon) after a lag time of 5 h. In vivo evaluation (pharmacokinetic studies and roentgenography) in rabbits revealed that the tablet remained intact until it reaches the colon and the drug release was initiated after a lag time of 5 h. Thus, it can be concluded that the developed system exhibited a promising colonic targeting and hence may be used for chronotherapy of nocturnal asthma.     

Compression of coated drug beads for sustained release tablet of glipizide: formulation,and dissolution

Abstract

A promising glipizide formulation comprising compression of four-layer coated beads into tablets was prepared. The tablet offered the advantages of: a two-hour lag time before drug release, retaining sustained release characteristics and providing approximately zero-order drug release. Drug release was nearly independent of paddle speeds of 50 and 100?rpm releasing 80% over 14?h similar to the commercial glipizide osmotic pump tablet during dissolution testing while keeping the benefits of multiparticular dosage forms. The tablets contain beads with four layers: (1) the innermost layer consists of 2.5?g glipizide and 3.75?g solid ethylcellulose (Surelease®) coated onto 71.25?g of sugar beads; (2) next a hardening layer of 5?g of hypromellose; (3) the controlled release layer of 7.5?g of Surelease®:lactose at a solids ratio of 100:7 and (4) an outermost layer of 20?g of lactose:sodium starch glycolate (Explotab®) at a 2:1 ratio. Then, beads were compressed into tablets containing 11?mg of glipizide using 1500?lbs of compression pressure. The dissolution test similarity factor (f₂) was above 50 for all test conditions for formulation F13 and Glucotrol® with a high of 69.9. The two Surelease® layers both aid controlling drug release, with the Surelease®-drug layer affecting drug release to a greater extent.     

卡托普利延迟起释型缓释片的研制

目的 制备适用于临睡前服用，间隔4～6h后于次日凌晨开始释放药物并持续释放较长一段时间的卡托普利延缓片。方法用干压包衣技术制备卡托普利延缓片，中心组合设计优化处方，人工神经网络预测释药时滞，在SAS上进行多元线性回归，并对优化结果进行验证，从而确定衣层处方。然后以卡托普利缓释片为对照制剂，以相似因子f2为筛选指标，确定片芯组成，从而确定最终处方。结果所优化的卡托普利延缓片体外释药时滞为5h，开始释放后与对照制剂有良好的相似性(L=64．06)，体外释放符合一级动力学规律。结论以干压包衣技术制得包芯片，由衣层控制延迟释放的释药时滞，由衣层和片芯共同控制药物缓慢释放。     

Delayed-release tablets using hydroxyethylcellulose as a gel-forming matrix

Delayed-release tablets containing diltiazem hydrochloride (DIL) were prepared by using CM-type hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) of three viscosity grades. The tablets consisted of a core containing 30 mg of DIL and an outer shell formed by compressing HEC. DIL in the core was rapidly released from the tablets after a lag time of several hours in all cases. The lag time to the start of release of DIL was more prolonged with an increase in viscosity of CM-type HEC. The rate of water-uptake was greater in the CM-L4 type HEC tablet of a low viscosity grade (14 cps) than those in CM-L3 and CM-L2 type HEC (27 and 95 cps, respectively) tablets. There was little difference in lag time to the start of release of DIL from CM-type HEC tablets between JP XII 1st (pH 1.2) and 2nd (pH 6.8) fluids. A human volunteer study was performed using the delayed-release tablets prepared with CM-type HEC of two or three viscosity grades. The t_maxand MRT values of CM-type HEC tablets were significantly increased with an increase in viscosity of HEC and showed only small variations between subjects, respectively. On the other hand, although the AUC values were almost the same, the C_max values decreased with prolongation of lag time. The lag time in vivo for appearance of DIL in the blood corresponded well to the lag time in vitro for drug release, but tended to be shortened as compared with the lag time in vitro. These results indicate that the lag time can be optionally controlled by selecting HEC with a proper viscosity and/or by changing the amount of HEC forming the outer shell. This delayed-release tablet using HEC will be useful for control of time-related symptoms which need time-controlled or site-specific delivery in the gastrointestinal tract.     

Design,Development and Optimization of S (-) Atenolol Floating Sustained Release Matrix Tablets Using Surface Response Methodology

The objective of this present investigation was to develop and formulate floating sustained release matrix tablets of s (-) atenolol, by using different polymer combinations and filler, to optimize by using surface response methodology for different drug release variables and to evaluate the drug release pattern of the optimized product. Floating sustained release matrix tablets of various combinations were prepared with cellulose-based polymers: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium bicarbonate as a gas generating agent, polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a binder and lactose monohydrate as filler. The 3² full factorial design was employed to investigate the effect of formulation variables on different properties of tablets applicable to floating lag time, buoyancy time, % drug release in 1 and 6 h (D_{1 h,}D_{6 h}) and time required to 90% drug release (t_90%). Significance of result was analyzed using analysis of non variance and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. S (-) atenolol floating sustained release matrix tablets followed the Higuchi drug release kinetics that indicates the release of drug follows anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion mechanism. The developed floating sustained release matrix tablet of improved efficacy can perform therapeutically better than a conventional tablet.