Evaluation of Venlafaxine Loaded Sodium-Alginate Interpenetrating Network Beads

In this paper an attempt is made to prepare IPN beads of the drug by taking alginate solution in combination with a polymer (PVA/Kennel powder /Guar gum). The prepared copolymer solution is dropped in to 2% CaCl2. The beads are hardened by cross linking with a common cross-linking agent, glutaraldehyde. The beads are characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally quality control tests such as swelling index, bead water uptake, entrapment efficiency and drug release studies are performed. The extent of cross-linking is studied in terms of the size and release characteristics of the beads. Most of the formulations indicated erosion based release pattern. The size of the beads ranged from 250 to 400 µm. The entrapment efficiency of the formulation ranged from 73.6% to 94.50%.