Clofibrate microcapsules: preparation and release rat studies.

Microencapsulation of clofibrate and dissolution characteristics of clofibrate microcapsules were investigated. Spherical droplets of clofibrate, prepared by a capillary jet method, were encapsulated in gelatin by simpel coacervation, using sodium sulfate as the coacervating agent. The microcapsules, which were hardened up to 8 hr with formaldehyde, were recovered as discrete, free-flowing particles. Dissolution of clofibrate from the microcapsules was not adequately described by either square root of time or Langenbucher kinetics but followed predominantly zero-order release patterns at all hardening times. A linear correlation was found between the hardening times and the t50% release time.