Design and Evaluation of Atomoxetine Hydrochloride Controlled Release Microcapsules Using Natural Polymer

Objectives: This study aimed to design and evaluate controlled-release microcapsules of atomoxetine hydrochloride utilizing gum kondagogu as the polymer, sodium alginate as encapsulating material and calcium chloride as cross-linking agent. Methods: Atomoxetine hydrochloride controlled-release microcapsules have been formulated using ionic gelation process. AHF1 to AHF3 preparations were made by Gum Kondagogu as a rate-controlling polymer at concentrations of 10 mg, 30 mg, and 50 mg, respectively, with 0.5% of sodium alginate, formulations AHF4 to AHF6 with 1.25% of sodium alginate, and AHF7 to AHF9 with 2% of sodium alginate. The microcapsules formulated were assessed for their flow properties, in vitro drug release and optimized formulation was subjected to characterization studies such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, and accelerated stability studies. Results: Atomoxetine hydrochloride was effectively encapsulated with the help of gum kondagogu. The pure drug, polymer, and optimised formulation were subjected to FTIR, DSC, SEM analysis, and accelerated stability studies. The microcapsules were found to be homogeneous and spherical in nature with the favorable surface properties as shown by SEM study. Out of all the formulations of atomoxetine HCl controlled-release microcapsules, AHF9 containing kondagogu gum and sodium alginate showed a drug release of 84.51±1.4% at 12 h. No changes were observed in the optimized formulation after subjecting to accelerated stability studies. Conclusions: Gum kondagogu retarded drug release from the prepared atomoxetine microcapsules.