Development and Characterization of Taste Masked Ampicillin Microspheres for Pediatric Oral Use

Ampicillin containing microspheres of Eudragit RL100 were formulated with the aim to mask its taste for pediatric use. Microspheres of ampicillin trihydrate were developed using multiple emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Eudragit RL100 and ampicillin in ratio of 2: 1 were dissolved in dichloromethane, liquid paraffin, and water. Characterization of microspheres was performed by measuring particle size, flowability compressibility index, Hausner's ratio, encapsulation efficiency, FTIR studies, and drug release kinetics. Microspheres showed average particle size of 468.49 mu m and angle of repose was 36.9 degrees. The yield and drug loading was obtained as 98.01% and 84.87%, respectively. FTIR spectrometry indicated the stable character of ampicillin and its encapsulation in ampicillin-loaded microspheres also showed that drug-polymer interaction is not prevailing. The drug release profile of taste masked microspheres has shown extended release over period of 8 h. Ampicillin release from microspheres followed the Weibull model. This system could be further formulated in suspension form for pediatrics.