DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CLARITHROMYCIN BEADS USING A BIODEGRADABLE CATIONIC POLYMER

The objective of the present study was to prepare clarithromycin beads by ionotropic gelation method using cationic polymer. Infra red spectroscopy study showed that the drug and excipients were compatible with each other. The beads were evaluated for SEM, average particle size, swelling studies, zeta potential, drug entrapment and in vitro drug release. The average particle size of the beads was between 0.87±0.020 and 1.254±0.030mm.The swelling ratio was greater in buffer pH 1.2 and the zeta potential values showed positive charge of the beads. The in vitro release study showed that the drug release was found to follow first order diffusion controlled release.