Abstract
Erythromycin was formulated as enteric-coated pellets in order to reduce degradation in stomach and gastromtestmal irritation, and to maximize the absorption in intestine followmg its oral administration. Core pellets were prepared using fluid-bed granulator with two different methods (powder layering and solvent spraying) and enteric-coated with two different coating polymers (HPMCP and Eudragit E30D). Physical characteristics md dissolution rates of core pellets and enteric-coated pellets were evaluated to optimize the formulation. Powder layering method resulted in shorter initial dissolution time than solvent spraying method, but physicochmical properties of the product were worse than solvent spraying method with respect to hardness, ftiability and density. The dissolution rate of the drug was increased with the addition of surfactants, showing concentration-dependence. The scanning electron microscopic observation of pellets revealed significant differences on the surface appearances prepared with solvent spraying method. The core pellet made with powder layering method had crystals on the surface, which resulted in poor physical properties of the pellets. The dissolution profiles of erythromycin pellets coated with HPMCP or Eudragit L30D were close to that of commercially available erythromycin enteric-coated product.
