In vitro performance of floating sustained-release capsule of verapamil.

Capsules filled with mixtures of verapamil, hydroxypropoxyl cellulose (HPC), and effervescent are proposed to provide floating sustained release over 10 hr. The effects of weight filled in the capsule, amount of HPC, and the addition of effervescent on the dissolution kinetics are studied. The conventional capsules were filled with different amounts and weights of the mixtures of verapamil, HPC, and effervescent. The release of verapamil from the capsules followed the Higuchi release model. However, when effervescent was added, a zero-order drug release was observed after the burst phase. The conventional capsule, when filled with active ingredients, polymers, and effervescent, can achieve a zero-order release system. Entrapped air was considered as a barrier to diffusion and matrix relaxation in drug release.