Development and characterization of novel ambroxol sustained-release oral suspensions based on drug-polymeric complexation and polymeric raft formation

The aim was to develop sustained-release aqueous suspensions of ambroxol utilizing drug-polymer complexation and raft-forming formulations. Ambroxol-carrageenan (ABX-CRG) complexation was studied for the optimum binding capacity, which was used to prepare the complex by kneading and coprecipitation. The prepared complex was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffractometry. The complex was formulated as suspensions in aqueous raft-forming vehicle of sodium alginate (NA) and calcium carbonate (CC). The suspensions differed in the molecular weight and concentration of NA, in addition to CC level and inclusion of CRG in excess of drug-polymer complexation. In 0.1 M HCl as simulated gastric fluid, the suspensions were observed for their ability to form rafts and studied for drug-release. The optimum sustained-release, raft forming and pourable formulation using high molecular weight NA, NA concentration of 18 mg/ml and CC concentration of 9 mg/ml was reached. Another optimum suspension was obtained by replacement of CC with excess CRG. However, pH dissolution profiles of the optimum suspensions revealed less pH sensitivity of the release consequent to this replacement as well as more stable ABX release upon aging. Relative to Gaviscon liquid, the optimum suspensions formed rafts of similar strength and higher resilience.