RESUMO
The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate an enteric coated dosage form of nicardipine hydrochloride (NCH)-loaded microspheres for delivery over a 12-hr period. Microspheres containing Eudragit RS and L with different ratios were prepared by solvent evaporation method and the effect of swelling on the release rate and characteristics was investigated. The change in the diameters of microspheres with time in simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.5) at 37 degrees C has been studied. Drug release was determined using the flow-through cell method, and related to the degree of swelling (Q) of the microspheres. Q values in turn depended on the ratio of Eudragit RS-L used. Release of NCH from microspheres increased with Eudragit L amount, but no controlled-release pattern was observed. Q values > or = 18.88 caused a slow initial release followed by an accelerated release. Microspheres with an Eudragit RS-L ratio of 1:5.7, Q value of 38.71, and drug release rate of 0.155% min-1 exhibited a remarkable delayed time for erosion to begin (120 min). Thus, microspheres prepared from this formulation may provide an effective enteric dosage form, releasing NCH at a predetermined rate.