Metoclopramide hydrochloride (MCP) is commonly used for the management of gastrointestinal disorders. Frequent administration and the undesired side effects (extra pyramidal symptoms)of the drug on the central nervous system due to the fluctuations of its plasma concentrations may lead to patient incompliance, and hence, improper therapy. Therefore, the present work devoted to formulate the drug in sustained release formulations. MCP was incorporated in 12 formulae containing different polymers and/or different polymer ratios. The polymers were HPMC K4M, Sodium alginate, Pectin were added in different amounts. Emulsion gelation method was used to prepare floating alginate beads. Applying various drug release models on the dissolution profiles of all formulations it was proposed that the release behaviour of most formulations governed by Non-Fickian Diffusion Law. In extension to these studies floating lag time, floating time, micromeritic properties, % drug content, %drug entrapment efficiency, swelling index and % weight loss were performed. In vitro release studies were conducted in simulated gastric fluid and cumulative amount of drug release was analyzed by spectrophotometry. From designed set of experiments, it was evident that formulation containing 2% of HPMC K4M sustain the release of drug for longer duration. The floating alginate beads exhibited the expected, drug content, floating lag time, floating time, drug content, drug entrapment efficiency, % weight loss, % swelling index and sustained drug release.From all these studies formulation F8 was confirmed as optimized formulation.
