Metformin Hydrochloride, an antidiabetic drug with a short biological half-life and narrow absorption window, is rapidly absorbed from the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and eliminated from the systemic circulation. Consequently, frequent dosing is required to maintain effective plasma drug concentrations. The development of an orally administered controlled-release formulation offers a potential solution by ensuring gradual and sustained release of the drug within the GIT, thereby maintaining prolonged therapeutic levels in the bloodstream. However, challenges such as short gastric residence time (GRT) and variable gastric emptying can limit the complete release and absorption of the drug, ultimately reducing its therapeutic efficacy. The present study focuses on the formulation and development of a gastro-retentive drug delivery system in the form of a granules of Metformin Hydrochloride, aimed at extending the gastric residence time and achieving extended drug release. Prolonged GRT enhances the duration of drug release, minimizes dosing frequency, improves bioavailability, and facilitates dissolution of drugs with poor solubility at higher intestinal pH. Moreover, sustained gastric retention can promote localized drug action in the upper GIT, contributing to improved therapeutic outcomes.
Keywords: Gastro-retentive drug delivery, Metformin Hydrochloride, Powder for oral suspension, Gastric retention, Controlled release, Bioavailability.
How to cite this article: Dutta S, Datta A, De PK. Formulation, Development and Evaluation of a Gastro-Retentive Drug delivery system of Metformin Hydrochloride using RAFT technology for extended release. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2025;15(4): 1542-1554, DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.15.4.10