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Comparative Study of Drug Release from Pellets Coated with HPMC or Surelease

The release of metoclopramide hydrochloride (very water soluble cationic drug) and diclofenac sodium (sparingly soluble anionic drug) from pellets coated with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC; water-soluble polymer) or ethylcellulose aqueous dispersion (Surelease; water-insoluble polymer) at different coating loads was investigated. The release rates of either drug decreased as the coating load of HPMC increased, but overall, the release was fast, and the majority of both drugs released in about 1 hr, even at the highest coating load. The drug release mechanism for either drug was not affected by the coating load of HPMC or by the type of drug used, and it was found to be mainly diffusion controlled. Diclofenac sodium released slightly more slowly than metoclopramide hydrochloride from HPMC-coated pellets. This was attributed to the lower water solubility of the former drug. The release rate of either drug decreased greatly as the coating load of Surelease increased. The release of both drugs was sustained over 12 hr as the coating load of Surelease increased, and only about 70% of either drug was released after this period at the highest coating load (20%). The mechanism of release of metoclopramide hydrochloride was independent of coating load, and it was predominantly diffusion controlled. However, the mechanism of diclofenac sodium release was dependent on the coating load of Surelease. At low coating loads, diffusion of drug was facilitated due to the presence of more pores at the surface of the coated pellets; therefore, the rate of dissolution of the drug particles was the rate-limiting step. However, at high coating loads, drug release was mainly diffusion controlled. Despite its lower water solubility, diclofenac sodium released slightly faster than metoclopramide hydrochloride from Surelease-coated pellets at equivalent coating loads.