Preparation and characterization of microencapsulated gelospheres for controlled oral theophylline delivery

Microencapsulated gelospheres were prepared using the water swellable polymers, poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyacrylamide in which the drug was embedded. Polymeric coating was formed by interfacial polymerization using 1,6 hexamine and sebacoyl chloride. The size, shape, in vitro release, kinetics and in vivo efficiency of the formulation were determined. The shape was found to be spherical with a size range below 100 microm. The per cent drug loaded was found to be higher in the case of gelospheres prepared with polyacrylamide than those prepared with poly(vinyl alcohol). The release rate was found to be near zero order. The AUC was found to be higher in the case of polyacrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol gelospheres as compared to plain drug solution.