Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Eudragit (R) RS 30D, talc, and verapamil hydrochloride on dissolution and mechanical properties of beads coated with "drug-layered matrices". This was accomplished with the aid of a three-factor multiple-level factorial design using percent drug release in 1 and 2 h, T-50, tensile strength, brittleness, stiffness and toughness as the responses. Beads were coated in a fluidized-bed coating unit. Surface morphology and mechanical properties were evaluated by surface profilometry and texture analysis, respectively. No cracks, flaws and fissures were observed on the surfaces. The mechanical properties were dependent on the talc/polymer ratio. The release of verapamil from the beads was influenced by matrix components. Increasing the level of both talc and Eudragit decreased the percent drug released from 67% to 4.8% and from 80.7% to 6.7% in 1 and 2 h, respectively, and increased T-50 from 0.8 to 25.7 h. It was concluded that beads could be efficiently coated with "drug-layered matrices". The release of drug, however, depends on a balance between the levels of drug, talc, and polymer, whereby desired dissolution and mechanical properties could be controlled by the talc/polymer ratio and the level of drug loading.