Drugs with shorter half-life get eliminated faster thus require frequent dosing. Attempts were made to release the drug slowly in the GIT so that a constant drug level could be maintained in the serum. Rapid gastric transit prevents complete drug release in the absorption zone and hence reduces the therapeutic efficacy of administered dose. Major challenges to improve the patient compliance includes: enabling the patient to self-administer, reduction in dosing frequency, ease of administration and to minimize the infections associated with the administration. To fulfill these requirements various drug delivery designs are developed. Gastro-retentive drug delivery system (GRDDS) tends to retain the dosage form in upper part of GIT through so many approaches. These systems have a bulk density less than that of gastric fluids and remain buoyant in the stomach without affecting the gastric emptying rate [1Josephine LJ, Mehul RT. Formulation and in vitro evaluation of floating microspheres of anti-retro viral drug as a gastro retentive dosage form. Int J Res Pharm Chem 2011; 1(3): 519-20.]. Retention of dosage form within the stomach depends on many factors mainly the density and size of the dosage form, the fasting and fed condition, the nature of the meal as well as posture of the patient [2Khosla R, Davis SS. The effect of tablet size on gastric emptying of non-disintegrating tablets. Int J Pharm 1990; 62: 31-42.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-5173(90)90243-W] ].

Polymethacrylate polymers were used to entrap and encapsulate the drug so as to prevent its degradation in GIT. Various grades are commercially available and dissolve in specific pH region in GIT, which may be advantageous for the target drug delivery. They are prepared by free-radical polymerization technique. They are synthetic cationic, anionic or neutral polymers of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylates, methacrylic acid, and methacrylic acid esters in varying ratios. By varying the ratios of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylates, methacrylic acid, and methacrylic acid esters they are categorized as synthetic cationic, anionic or neutral polymers. Various commercially available polymers are in the form of dry powder, aqueous dispersion, or as organic solution [3Chang RK, Price JC, Hsiao C. Preparation and preliminary evaluation of Eudragit®RL and RS pseudolatices for controlled drug release. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 1989; 15: 361-72.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/03639048909040217] ]. They are mainly used as film formers in application for functional pharmaceutical coatings for controlling the release of drugs [4Pearnchob N, Bodmeier R. Dry powder coating of pellets with micronized Eudragit RS for extended drug release. Pharm Res 2003; 20: 1970-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:PHAM.0000008044.78968.81] [PMID: 14725361] ] and as matrix formers in granulation techniques [5Pereira de Souza T, Martínez-Pacheco R, Gómez-Amoza JL, Petrovick PR. Eudragit® E as excipient for production of granules and tablets from Phyllanthus niruri L spray-dried extract. AAPS PharmSciTech 2007; 8: 34.
[PMID: 17622112] ]. Eudragit^® acrylic resins are harmless and inert compounds, not absorbed in the GIT and are resistant to body fluids. They stay for a limited time in the GIT, are excreted unchanged, and do not produce degradation products [6Evonic Eudragit® Application Guidelines. 11th ed. Darmstadt: Evonic Roehm Gmbh, Business Line Pharma Polymers 2009.]. Recent advances include the polymer microfabrication technology to produce particulate microstructure for drug delivery applications used for ocular, oral, transmucosal and injectable routes [7Ahmed A, Bonner C, Desai TA. Bioadhesive microdevices with multiple reservoirs: a new platform for oral drug delivery. J Control Release 2002; 81: 291-306.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(02)00074-3] [PMID: 12044568] ].

Various approaches [8Reddy MS, Kumar MV, Rao PS. Approaches to gastro retentive drug delivery systems: An overview. Int J Rev Life Sci 2011; 1(2): 62-75.] are there for increasing the gastric-residence time (GRT) of the dosage forms (Fig. 1). Drug gets released at a desired rate from the system before emptied from the stomach and fluctuations in plasma drug concentrations could be avoided. Swelling and expanding dosage forms prevent their exit through the pylorus and help in retaining the entire dosage form. As these systems block the pyloric sphincter and hence referred to as plug type systems. Bio-adhesive systems utilize bio-adhesive polymers which adhere over the epithelial surface of the GIT and form mucous-polymer boundary through hydrogen and electrostatic bonding. They localize a delivery device within the lumen and cavity of the body enhancing the drug absorption in a site-specific manner. Modified shape systems have non-disintegrating geometric shapes which extend the GRT. High density formulations are made by coating the drug particles or granules with heavy inert materials like barium sulfate, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, iron powder etc., [9Singh BN, Kim KH. Floating drug delivery systems: an approach to oral controlled drug delivery via gastric retention. J Control Release 2000; 63: 235-59.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(99)00204-7] [PMID: 10601721] ] so their density becomes greater than the stomach contents and thus resist their exit.

Table 1

List of available dosage form designs for gastric retention.

Fig. (1) Classification of gastroretentive drug delivery systems (GRDDS).

For drugs locally absorbed through the stomach. e.g., ferrous salts and antacids, hydro dynamically balanced systems (HBS) are used. They proved to be useful for the administration of acidic substances like aspirin as it may cause irritation to the stomach wall. These systems result in complete dissolution of their content before empting the stomach so that the drug would be available for absorption in the small intestine without being affected by its alkaline pH. A short transit time as in case of diarrhea, poor absorption is expected so it may be advantageous to keep the drug in floating condition for relatively better response. Various limitations observed were: not suitable for drugs that have solubility or stability problems in GIT; high levels of fluid content are required for efficient float and dissolution; drugs with significant first pass metabolism are considered as the desired candidate suitable for gastric retention; some drugs even in the floating system may cause irritation to the gastric mucosa [10Babu VB, Khar RK. In vitro and in vivo studies of sustained-release floating dosage forms containing salbutamol sulfate. Pharmazie 1990; 45: 268-70.
[PMID: 2381979] ].

Gastro-retentive oral dosage form for controlled drug release could be governed by following principles [13Chein YW. Novel drug delivery systems. 2nd ed. New York: Marcel Dekker 2009; p. 50.]:

Zhang C. et al., 2012 formulated Ofloxacin-loaded pellets by the extrusion-spheronization technique. Pellets were coated with three successive coatings-the retarding layer of ethyl cellulose, the effervescent layer of sodium bicarbonate and the polymeric layer of Eudragit^® RL 30D that provides gas entrapment due to its swelling and water permeability properties. Pellets gave excellent floating and retarded drug release over 8 h studies [14Zhang C, Xu M, Tao X, et al. A floating multiparticulate system for ofloxacin based on a multilayer structure: In vitro and in vivo evaluation. Int J Pharm 2012; 430(1-2): 141-50.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.04.013] [PMID: 22525085] ]. Chaturvedi A.K. et al., 2011 prepared and evaluated floating microballoons of Norfloxacin by emulsion solvent diffusion method using Eudragit^®L100 and Eudragit^®RS100 in definite proportions. Eudragit^®L100 dissolves above pH 6 whereas Eudragit^®RS100 has pH independent dissolution. Gastric residence time was prolonged with an enhancement in bioavailability of drug. SEM study confirms their spherical shape with hollow cavity that provides buoyancy to the formulation [15Chaturvedi AK, Verma A, Singh A, Kumar A. Formulation and characterization of microballoons of norfloxacin. J Drug Deliv Therap 2011; 1(2): 21-6.]. Ehab H. et al., 2003 prepared and optimized Bumetanide extended as well as immediate release pellets. Pellets were formed by fluid bed layering and coating techniques. Coating dispersion comprises of 6% Eudragit^®RS plasticized with 20% Tri ethyl citrate. Porosity of the pellets was increased by incorporating sodium chloride which acts as a channeling agent. Pellets gave faster dissolution and enhanced bioavailability [16Ehab H, Myron CG, Ronald WM, Adel S. A study of the pharmacodynamic differences between immediate and extended release bumetanide formulations. Int J Pharm 2003; 267(1-2): 129-40.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2003.08.007] [PMID: 14602391] ]. Eytan K. et al., 2003 formulated novel unfolded controlled release-gastro retentive dosage form (CR-GRDF) for Levodopa by solvent evaporation method. The materials used were Gelatin, L-polylactic acid, ethyl cellulose, carbidopa Eudragit^®S100, Shellac and microcrystalline cellulose. It was observed that the therapeutic concentration of the drug in plasma could be achieved over 9 h through the formulation design and confirmed by in vitro evaluation [17Klausner EA, Eyal S, Lavy E, Friedman M, Hoffman A. Novel levodopa gastroretentive dosage form: in-vivo evaluation in dogs. J Control Release 2003; 88(1): 117-26.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(02)00487-X] [PMID: 12586509] ].

Atyabi F. et al., 1996 utilizes ion exchange resins as a novel floating effervescent system and evaluated in vivo for confirming the enhancement in residence time. Ion exchange resins are loaded with bi carbonate which when comes in contact with the acidic environment releases carbon dioxide causing the resin to float. These resins were further coated with Eudragit^®RS for controlling the drug release and compared with the uncoated resins in vitro [18Atyabi F, Sharma HL, Mohammad HA, Fell JT. In vivo evaluation of a novel gastro retentive formulation based on ion exchange resins. J Control Release 1996; 42: 105-13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0168-3659(96)01344-2] ]. Jijun F. et al., 2011 formulated matrix controlled extended release pellets of Diclofenac potassium by extrusion-spheronization technique. The formed pellets were double layered using Eudragit^®NE 30D, Eudragit^®RS30D and Kollicoat^®SR 30D coating polymers for better control of drug release and to avoid incomplete absorption of drug [19Fu J, Wang X, Xu L, et al. Preparation and in vitro in vivo evaluation of double layer coated and matrix sustained release pellet formulations of diclofenac potassium. Int J Pharm 2011; 406(1-2): 84-90.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2010.12.043] [PMID: 21219996] ]. Di Colo G. et al., 2002 prepared and evaluated compressed matrix tablets of Metformin hydrochloride using polyethylene oxide and Eudragit^®L100. The drug release could be modified by increasing the concentration of Eudragit^®L100. The prepared matrices showed gradual and complete drug release without being fluctuated by the gastric pH [20Di Colo G, Falchi S, Zambito Y. In vitro evaluation of a system for pH-controlled peroral delivery of metformin. J Control Release 2002; 80(1-3): 119-28.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(02)00022-6] [PMID: 11943392] ]. Goole J, et al., 2008 formulated and evaluated floating coated mini-tabs of Levodopa for sustaining its release, the gas generating core containing drug was prepared by melt granulation followed by subsequent compression. The mini tabs formed were coated with Eudragit^®RL 30D plasticized with acetyl tri ethyl citrate. Optimized formulation starts floating within 20 min and gave buoyancy over 13 h and sustained release over 20 h [21Goole J, Deleuze P, Vanderbist F, Amighi K. New levodopa sustained-release floating minitablets coated with insoluble acrylic polymer. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2008; 68(2): 310-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2007.06.017] [PMID: 17804212] ]. Kagan L. et al., 2006 formulated gastro retentive unfolding dosage form for Riboflavin for increasing its bioavailability without the need to be administered with high calorie meals. Coating polymers used were Eudragit^®L and Eudragit^®S plasticized with tri ethyl citrate. Results showed that Accordion pill technology was successful in prolonging the gastric residence time [22Kagan L, Lapidot N, Afargan M, et al. Gastroretentive Accordion Pill: Enhancement of riboflavin bioavailability in humans. J Control Release 2006; 113(3): 208-15.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2006.03.022] [PMID: 16806558] ]. Ninan M. et al., 2008 prepared, optimized and evaluated effervescent floating microspheres of Diltiazem hydrochloride by Ionotropic gelation method using sodium alginate, calcium chloride, Eudragit^®RS 30D and chitosan. Encapsulation was done by chitosan and the chitosan-alginate microspheres were further coated with Eudragit^®RS30D to get prolonged gastro retentive time and a sustained release behavior. Calcium carbonate acts as a gas forming agent. Both coated and uncoated microspheres floated over 24 h in vitro. Floating microsphere stayed over 5 h whereas non- floating was emptied with in 2.5 h [23Ninan M, Xu L, Wang Q, et al. Development and evaluation of new sustained-release floating microspheres. Int J Pharm 2008; 358(1-2): 82-90.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2008.02.024] [PMID: 18407442] ].

Patel S.R. et al., 2010 formulated and optimized enteric coated tablets of Rabeprazole sodium employing colorcoat^®EC4S, Mannitol SD200, microcrystalline cellulose and kollidon^®CL by wet granulation and direct compression method. The formulation showed resistance in acidic environment and sustained its release in alkaline environment. Colorcoat^®EC4S retards the release pattern of the drug thereby enhancing the therapeutic efficacy [24Patel SR, Patel PR, Vora CN, Patel ND. Formulation, process parameters optimization and evaluation of delayed release tablets of rabeprazole sodium. Int J Pharmacy Pharm Sci 2010; 2(3): 144-59.]. Strubing S. et al., 2008 formulated sustained release matrix tablet of Propanolol hydrochloride using Kollidon^®SR by direct compression method. The release kinetic showed korsmeyer peppas model following fickian diffusion. Kollidon^®SR sustained the release over a period of 24 h with fickian diffusion kinetics [25Strübing S, Metz H, Mäder K. Characterization of poly(vinyl acetate) based floating matrix tablets. J Control Release 2008; 126(2): 149-55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2007.11.013] [PMID: 18180069] ]. Sato Y. et al., 2003 prepared and in vivo evaluated the sustained release action of the prepared microballoons containing Riboflavin as the model drug by emulsion solvent diffusion method. Eudragit^®RS100 and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose in different ratios were dissolved in ethanol and dichloro methane. Study was carried out in healthy volunteers and the result showed that the urinary excretion of the drug was sustained with the increase in overall urinary excretion [26Sato Y, Kawashima Y, Takeuchi H, Yamamoto H. In vivo evaluation of riboflavin-containing microballoons for floating controlled drug delivery system in healthy human volunteers. J Control Release 2003; 93(1): 39-47.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(03)00370-5] [PMID: 14602420] ]. El-Kamel A.H. et al., 2001 develpoed floating microparticles of Ketoprofen using different ratios of Eudragit^®S100 and Eudragit^®RL100 by emulsion solvent diffusion method. They observed that the drug content of the prepared microparticles decreases with increase in concentration of Eudragit^®RL100 whereas similar concentration of both gave higher percentage yield and better buoyancy [27El-Kamel AH, Sokar MS, Al Gamal SS, Naggar VF. Preparation and evaluation of ketoprofen floating oral delivery system. Int J Pharm 2001; 220(1-2): 13-21.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-5173(01)00574-9] [PMID: 11376963] ]. Sato Y. et al., 2004 formulated and evaluated Riboflavin microballoons using Eudragit^®S100, HPMC, PVA, dichloro methane and ethanol by emulsion solvent diffusion method. They found that by varying the concentration of HPMC release profiles could be improved. The statistical evaluation confirms the correlation between buoyancy and excretion half life and between drug release and total urinary excretion [28Sato Y, Kawashima Y, Takeuchi H, Yamamoto H. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of riboflavin-containing microballoons for a floating controlled drug delivery system in healthy humans. Int J Pharm 2004; 275(1-2): 97-107.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2004.01.036] [PMID: 15081141] ]. Sawicki W., 2002 studied Pharmacokinetics of verapamil in a dose of 40 mg and its metabolite nor-verapamil from the new oral drug formulation in a form of capsule filled with floating pellets was determined. Pellets were prepared by wet granulation and spheronization technique. Core of the pellets contains the drug, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose and povidone K 30 whereas thick film coat contains Eudragit^®NE 30D, Eudragit^®L30D, triethyl citrate and talcum. Floating drug formulation is a gelatin capsule filled with pellets with verapamil in a dose of 40 mg, coated with a control release film. Capsule filled with floating pellets floated for 6 h and gave better pharmacokinetic results in comparison to the conventional tablets [29Sawicki W. Pharmacokinetics of verapamil and norverapamil from controlled release floating pellets in humans. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2002; 53(1): 29-35.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0939-6411(01)00189-8] [PMID: 11777750] ]. Sato Y. et al., 2003 developed hollow and buoyant microballoons of Aspirin, Salicylic acid, Ethoxybenzamide, Riboflavin and Indomethacin employing emulsion solvent diffusion method. A mixture of drug, Eudragit^®S100 and monostearin were dissolved in dichloro methane and ethanol mixture and poured slowly in to the poly vinyl alcohol solution kept at 40^oC with constant stirring speed and stirred continuously for 1h. The in vitro release behaviors of different drugs were studied and it was found that the buoyancy of microballoons decreases with increase release behavior. Optimum temperature of 40 ^oC gave better buoyancy and retarded release was due to smooth surface. Drug entrapment was high due to higher distribution coefficient [30Sato Y, Kawashima Y, Takeuchi H, Yamamoto H. Physicochemical properties to determine the buoyancy of hollow microspheres (microballoons) prepared by the emulsion solvent diffusion method. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2003; 55(3): 297-304.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0939-6411(03)00003-1] [PMID: 12754004] ]. Sato Y. et al., 2004 developed floating as well as non-floating microballoons of Riboflavin for investigating their gastro retentive time in the stomach. Floating microballoons were prepared by using Eudragit^®RS100 and HPMC in different ratios by emulsion solvent diffusion method. The intra gastric behavior of the dosage form showed similar release profiles when investigated through gamma scintigraphy technique in both fasted and the fed conditions. The study confirms that the floating microballoons retained for longer time period in comparison to the non-floating in fed conditions, both half life and the total urinary excretion of drug increases significantly due to prolonged retention of the dosage form in the gastric fluids [31Sato Y, Kawashima Y, Takeuchi H, Yamamoto H, Fujibayashi Y. Pharmacoscintigraphic evaluation of riboflavin-containing microballoons for a floating controlled drug delivery system in healthy humans. J Control Release 2004; 98(1): 75-85.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2004.04.021] [PMID: 15245891] ].

Tao S.L. et al., 2003 developed bio-adhesive devices by microfabrication technology for the oral delivery of proteins and peptides by protecting from gastrointestinal denaturation, localizing and prolonging at a specific target site and to maintain direct contact with the intestinal cells in order to increase the drug concentration gradient. Lectins, a group of proteins capable of targetting to the intestinal cells imparts bio-adhesive properties on attachment with the microfabricated poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) micro devices. Avidin molecules covalently bind with the amine groups of PMMA. The in vitro analysis showed prevention of drug denaturation and prolongs the release rate [32Tao SL, Lubeley MW, Desai TA. Bioadhesive poly(methyl methacrylate) microdevices for controlled drug delivery. J Control Release 2003; 88(2): 215-28.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-3659(03)00005-1] [PMID: 12628329] ] (Table 1).

1. Poly [Butyl methacrylate, (2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate, methyl methacrylate] with the ratio 1:2:1, trade names Eudragit^®E100, Eudragit^®E12.5 and Eudragit^®EPO are manufactured and marketed by Evonik Industries (Fig. (2a)).
2. Poly [Ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate] with the ratio 2:1, trade names Eudragit^®NE30D, Eudragit^®NE40D and Eudragit^®NM30D are manufactured and marketed by Evonik Industries (Fig. (2b)).
3. Poly [methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate] with the ratio 1:1, trade names Eudragit^®L100, Eudragit^®L12.5 and Eudragit^®L12.5P are manufactured and marketed by Evonik Industries (Fig. (2c)).
4. Poly [methacrylic acid, ethyl acrylate] with the ratio 1:1, trade names Acryl-EZE, Acryl-EZE 93A and Acryl-EZE MP are manufactured and marketed by Colorcon. Trade names Eudragit^®L 30 D-55 and Eudragit^®L 100-55 by Evonik Industries, trade name Eastacryl^®30 D by Eastman Chemical and with trade names Kollicoat^®MAE 30 DP and Kollicoat^®MAE 100 P by BASF Fine Chemicals (Fig. (2d)).
5. Poly [methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate] with the ratio 1:2, trade names Eudragit^®S100, Eudragit^®S12.5 and Eudragit^®S12.5P are manufactured and marketed by Evonik Industries (Fig. (2e)).
6. Poly [Methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid] with the ratio 7:3:1, trade name Eudragit^®FS 30D are manufactured and marketed by Evonik Industries (Fig. (2f)).
7. Poly [Ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride] with the ratio 1:2:0.2, trade names Eudragit^®RL100, Eudragit^®RLPO, Eudragit^®RL 30D and Eudragit^®RL 12.5 are manufactured and marketed by Evonik Industries (Fig. (2g)).
8. Poly [Ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride] with the ratio 1:2:0.1, trade names Eudragit^®RS100, Eudragit^®RSPO, Eudragit^®RS 30D and Eudragit^®RS 12.5 are manufactured and marketed by Evonik Industries, (Fig. (2h)) [33Raymond CR, Paul JS, Marian EQ. Handbook of pharmaceutical excipients, Pharmaceutical Press and American Pharmacists Association. 6th ed. London. Chicago: Churchill Livingstone 2009; pp. 525-8.](Table 2).

They are primarily used as film forming agent, tablet binders and tablet diluents etc. (Table 3). Eudragit^®E12.5 is available as organic solution, as a 12.5 % solution in propanol-acetone (60:40). It is light yellowish in color, soluble in gastric pH below 5, used as a film coating agent. It is miscible in acetone-alcohols, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, 1N HCl and petroleum ether. Eudragit^®E100 targeted area is stomach and it consists of colorless to yellow tinged granules with a characteristic amine-like odor. It has low viscosity, high pigment binding capacity, good adhesion and low polymer weight gain. It is soluble in gastric pH below 5 and solvents like acetone-alcohols, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. Eudragit^®E PO is available as white free-flowing powder forms 98 % ready to use solutions in acetone and alcohols. Both are soluble in gastric pH below 5 and used as a film coating material.

Fig. (2) Chemical structures and IUPAC names of polymethacrylates.

Table 2

Chemical name, trade name and company name of Polymethacrylates.

Eudragit^®L 12.5P and Eudragit^®L 12.5 supplied as organic solution, as a 12.5 % ready to use solution in acetone and alcohols, used as an enteric coating agent. Their film coats are resistant to gastric media but soluble in intestinal fluids above pH 6 and shows miscibility in acetone-alcohols, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and 1N NaOH. Eudragit^®L100 is a solid substance in form of a white powder with a faint characteristic odor, ready to use as a 95 % solution in acetone and alcohols and also shows solubility in 1N NaOH, used as an enteric coating agent with solubility in intestinal fluids above pH 6. Its targeted drug release area is jejunum. It has effective and stable enteric coatings with a fast dissolution in the upper bowel. It does granulation of drug substances in powder form for controlled release. It also shows variable release profiles and site specific drug delivery in intestine in combination with Eudragit^®S grades. Eudragit^®L 100-55 is also available as a powder with 95 % ready to use solution in acetone and alcohols and shows solubility in 1N NaOH. Soluble in intestinal fluids above pH 5.5, used to form enteric coat films. Eudragit^®L30 D-55 is supplied as aqueous dispersion with 30 % solution in water having solubility in intestinal fluids above pH 5.5, used to make enteric coats. It shows miscibility in acetone-alcohols, 1N HCl and petroleum ether. Eudragit^®S 12.5P and Eudragit^®S 12.5 are supplied as organic solution with 12.5 % ready to use solution in acetone and alcohols. It is soluble in intestinal fluid above pH 7 and used as an enteric coating polymer. They show miscibility in acetone-alcohols, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and 1N NaOH. Eudragit^®S100 is soluble in intestinal fluid above pH 7, soluble in solvents like acetone-alcohols and 1N NaOH. Available in the form of powder and its targeted drug release area is colon. It does granulation of drug substances for controlled release, effective and stable enteric coatings with a fast dissolution in the upper bowel. It shows variable release profiles with site specific drug delivery in intestine in combination with Eudragit^®S grades [33Raymond CR, Paul JS, Marian EQ. Handbook of pharmaceutical excipients, Pharmaceutical Press and American Pharmacists Association. 6th ed. London. Chicago: Churchill Livingstone 2009; pp. 525-8.].

Eudragit^®FS 30D is supplied in aqueous dispersion form with 30 % ready to use dispersion in water. It is used as an enteric coating polymer with dissolution in intestinal fluid above pH 7. The ammonium groups in Eudragit^®RL and RS provides pH-independent permeability to the polymers. Both polymers are water-insoluble. Eudragit^®RL films are freely permeable to water and other dissolved active substances, while films prepared from Eudragit^®RS are only slightly permeable to water. Eudragit^®RL100 and RS 100 are granular in form with a low content of quaternary ammonium groups [3Chang RK, Price JC, Hsiao C. Preparation and preliminary evaluation of Eudragit®RL and RS pseudolatices for controlled drug release. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 1989; 15: 361-72.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/03639048909040217] ]. Eudragit^®RL 12.5, Eudragit^®RL 100, Eudragit^®RL PO and Eudragit^®RL 30 D shows high permeability and sustained release profiles. Eudragit^®RL 12.5 is available as organic solution with 12.5 % solution in acetone and alcohols, miscibility in dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and water. Eudragit^®RL100 is a solid substance in form of colorless, clear to cloudy granules with a faint amine like odor and forms 97 % solution in acetone and alcohols and also shows solubility in solvents like dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. Eudragit^®RL PO is a solid substance in form of white powder with a faint amine-like odor with 97 % solution in acetone and alcohols, solvents like dichloromethane and ethyl acetate and Eudragit^®RL 30D is a milky-white liquid of low viscosity with a faint characteristic odor. Eudragit^®RL 30D as aqueous dispersion with 30 % ready to use in water and miscibility in solvents like acetone and alcohols, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and water.

Table 3

Properties and uses of commercially available polymethacrylates.

Eudragit^®RS 12.5, Eudragit^®RS 100, Eudragit^®RS PO and Eudragit^®RS 30 D shows low permeability and sustained release profiles. Eudragit^®RS 12.5 is available as organic solution with 12.5 % solution in acetone and alcohols and shows miscibility in dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and water. Eudragit^®RS100 is a solid substance in form of colorless, clear to cloudy granules with a faint amine-like odor and forms 97 % solution in acetone and alcohols and also soluble in solvents like dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The ammonium groups are present as salts and make the polymers permeable.Eudragit^®RS PO is available as powder with 97 % solution in acetone and alcohols and soluble in solvents like dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. Eudragit^®RS 30D as aqueous dispersion with 30 % ready to use in water and solvents like acetone and alcohols, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and water.

Eudragit^®NE 30D and Eudragit^®NE 40D are available as 30 % and 40 % aqueous dispersion in water. Both shows swellable and permeable behavior and are used as sustained release polymers in tablet matrix. The dispersions are milky-white liquids of low viscosity and have a weak aromatic odor. So the films produced are insoluble in water, but gives pH-independent drug release. Eudragit^®NM 30D is of identical monomer composition to Eudragit^®NE 30D. It shows swellable and permeable behavior and is used as sustained release polymer in tablet matrix.

In Eastacryl^®30D and Kollicoat^®MAE 30DP the ratio of free-carboxyl groups to ester groups is 1:1. Films formed dissolves above pH 5.5; forming salts with alkali, thus film formed are insoluble in gastric media but soluble in the small intestine. They both show miscibility in acetone and alcohols, 1N NaOH and water. Acryl-EZE, Acryl-EZE 93 A and Acryl-EZE MP are commercially available as redispersible powder forms, which are used as enteric coat polymers in case of tablets and beads and are solubilized in intestinal fluid above pH 5.5. They are soluble in solvents acetone and alcohols and 1N NaOH.

In the description of physical properties of polymers Tg plays an important role (Table 4). On a macroscopic level it describes the solidification of an anisotropic polymer melt. The Tg has far-reaching consequences, e.g., for film formation, melt processing and storage of finished pharmaceutical dosage forms. Plasticizers, solvents or residual solvents (including water) that act as plasticizers usually cause a reduction in Tg, which is specifically exploited in application formulations. Most common plasticizer for Eudragit^® polymers is tri ethyl citrate (TEC).

Table 4

Glass transition temperatures (Tg) of different Eu-dragit grades.

Physical properties of polymers in film coating formulations could be modified by the addition of plasticizers as it decreases the film brittleness. It is generally accepted that the mechanism by which polymers exerts their action is for them to interpose themselves on a molecular scale between the polymer strands. In doing so they permit these strands to move more freely and allow the polymer to act in a more pliable fashion [34Aulton ME. Pharmaceutics: The science of dosage form design. 2nd ed. USA: Churchill Livingstone 2002; p. 444.].

In order to enhance the solubility of polymers various plasticizers are recommended in the concentration 10-25%, they are dibutyl phthalate (DBT), polyethylene glycols (PEG), TEC, tri acetin, and 1, 2-propylene glycol. Plasticizers are not required in Eudragit^®E12.5, Eudragit^®E100 and Eudragit^®NE 30D. The Tg could be lowered by adding small amounts of plasticizers that fits between the glassy molecules, gives them mobility and thus increases the solubility. The Tg of Eudragit^®RL and RS polymers are as high as 70°C and 65°C respectively. While the minimum film formation temperature (MFT) of the aqueous dispersions Eudragit^®RL 30D and RS 30D are 40°C and 45°C respectively [6Evonic Eudragit® Application Guidelines. 11th ed. Darmstadt: Evonic Roehm Gmbh, Business Line Pharma Polymers 2009.]. These polymers require the addition of a plasticizer, usually in the range of 5 % to 30 %, calculated on dry polymer mass, to reduce the MFT of aqueous dispersion in order to ensure proper film formation and improve film properties [35Skalsky B, Petereit HU. Chemistry and application properties of polymethacrylate systems: Aqueous polymeric coatings for pharmaceutical dosage forms. 3rd ed. New York, NY USA: Inf Healthcare: Inc. 2008; pp. 237-78.].

Different grades of polymethacrylates are commercially available to achieve the pH dependent drug release for enhancing the bioavailability and minimizing the side effects. They are applied as film coat, enteric coat, sustaining the drug release and as a tablet matrix. Tg of polymers helps in enhancing their solubility by use of suitable plasticizers. While designing the dosage forms one should have the complete knowledge of the polymer behavior, the pharmacokinetics of the drug and their toxicological effects. This review may be helpful in polymer selection for the site specific delivery. The contributions given by researchers on Eudragit^® polymers applications showed their future potential and significance.