IMPACT OF OVER COAT APPLICATION ON ENTERIC COATED DRUG PELLETS: DESIGNED TO PROTECT FROM STOMACH ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Omeprazole is an antisecretory compounds called proton pump inhibitors. Omeprazole is an acid labile drug so enteric coated pellets were formulated using pan coating process. Two different groups of pellets were prepared, one group of pellets consists drug layer coat, enteric layer coat and another group of pellets consists of drug layer coat, enteric layer coat and over coat. The pellets were optimized with the acid resistance and drug release in simulated intestinal fluid as the process parameters. Other properties, such as moisture content, particle size, resistance to abrasion and drug content also studied. The over coat application played a vital role in acid resistance it protects the drug release in stomach environment. Three month accelerated stability studies, showed over coated pellets to be stable.