Formulation and Evaluation of Gastro – Retentive Floating Tablets of Ranitidine Hcl Using HPMC and Sodium Bicarbonate

Abstract

Oral drug delivery remains the most preferred route of administration due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness; however, it faces significant challenges such as variable gastric emptying times and narrow absorption windows. Ranitidine Hydrochloride (HCl), a widely used H2-receptor antagonist for treating peptic ulcers, GERD, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, exhibits low bioavailability (approx. 50%) due to its preferential absorption in the upper gastrointestinal tract and short biological half-life. To overcome these limitations, Gastro-Retentive Drug Delivery Systems (GRDDS), specifically effervescent floating tablets, have emerged as a promising solution. This review synthesizes current research on formulating floating matrices using hydrophilic polymers like Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) and gas-generating agents like Sodium Bicarbonate. By enhancing gastric residence time, these systems ensure sustained drug release, improve therapeutic efficacy, and reduce dosing frequency, thereby optimizing patient compliance in acid-related disorders.

Keywords: Gastro-Retentive Drug Delivery System (GRDDS); Floating Tablets; Ranitidine Hydrochloride; HPMC; Sodium Bicarbonate; Effervescent System; Gastric Residence Time.