PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF SUSTAINED-RELEASE MICROCAPSULES OF FLUOXETINE HYDROCHLORIDE

The aim of present work was to prepare and evaluate enteric coated microcapsules of Fluoxetine hydrochloride using cellulose acetate butyrate polymer (CAB) by the modified emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The effect of sustained release of CAB microcapsules was evaluated by an invitro dissolution test, and the results were compared to a commercial product (Prozac®  capsules). The results showed that CAB microcapsules loaded with Fluoxetine hydrochloride can be easily prepared and encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were about from 77- 98 and 11%. The retardation of the release rate was dependant on the coat /core ratio, as well as pH of the dissolution media.