Formulation and Evaluation of Floating In Situ Gel of Levetiracetam

The aim of this study was to develop a new intra-gastric oating in situ gelling system for controlled delivery of levetiracetam for the treatment of partial onset seizures.High dose of levetiracetam (750 to 1000 mg) is dicult to incorporate in oating tablets but can easily be given in liquid dosage form. Sodium alginate-based in-situ gelling systems were prepared by dissolving various concentrations of sodium alginate in deionized water, to which drug and calcium carbonate were added. A 32 full factorial design was used for optimization. The concentrations of sodium alginate (X1) and calcium carbonate (X2) were selected as the independent variables.The amount of the drug released after 1 h (Q1) and 6 h (Q6) and 12 h (Q12), viscosity and Floating lag time of the liquid formulation were selected as the dependent variables. The studies indicate that the formulation was effective in providing in vitro release for extended time up to 12 hrs and also convenient for geriatric and paediatric patient and increase drug residency to the GIT.