The aim of the present work was to prepare floating tablets of galantamine HBr using sodium alginate and xanthan gum as matrix forming carriers. Galantamine HBr is used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and various other memory impairments, in particular those of vascular origin. The matrix tablet formulations were prepared by varying the concentrations of sodium alginate and xanthan gum. The tablets were prepared by direct compression technique using
PVP K-30 as a binder and sodium bicarbonate for development of CO2. The prepared matrix tablets were evaluated for properties such as hardness, thickness, friability, weight variation, floating lag time, compatibility using DSC and FTIR. In vitro dissolution was carried out for 12 hrs in 0.1N HCl at 37±0.5 ºC using USP paddle type dissolution apparatus. It was noted that, all the prepared formulations had desired floating lag time and constantly floated on dissolution medium by maintaining the matrix integrity. The drug release from prepared tablets was found to vary with varying concentration of the polymers, sodium alginate and xanthan gum. From the study it was concluded that floating drug delivery system for galantamine HBr can be prepared by using sodium alginate and xanthan gum as a carrier.
