The present investigation deals with the preparation and evaluation of oilentrapped floating alginate beads of Ranitidine hydrochloride for sustained release. The beads were prepared by ionotropic emulsion-gelation method. The prepared beads were evaluated for percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, micromeretic studies, in-vitro drug release studies, stability studies. Ranitidine hydrochloride floating beads which are prepared with polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), were free flowing and showed almost spherical shape. The beads showed excellent floating properties throughout the study period. Polymer such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone effectively sustained the drug release from the bead formulations. It can be concluded that the polymer plays a major role in the design of formulation F12. Gastro retentive floating formulation containing Ranitidine hydrochloride (F12 Formulation) gave slow and maximum drug release over 12 h. The dissolution data was also plotted in accordance with korsemeyer-peppas model (where n is the release exponent).Applicability of data indicating Non-Fickian diffusion as mechanism of drug release. The drug release followed first order kinetics. Hence it was considered as the best formulation.
