Description

The discovery of Helicobacter pylori as the cause of peptic ulcer has revolutionized anti-ulcer treatment. The current treatment includes a combination of antibiotics with proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor antagonist1,2. Clarithromycin and omeprazole combination has become popular and best choice for treating peptic ulcer associated with H. pylori infection3. Gastro retentive dosage forms have the potential for increased residence in stomach along with site-specific drug delivery. Hydrodynamic drug delivery systems (HBS) are one such systems that has increased gastric residence providing an increased local action at the ulcer site4. Clarithromycin, effective in H.pylori infection treatment was chosen as model drug. Extended release and retention in upper gastro intestinal tract would be most advantageous, optimizing the combination therapy of peptic ulcer complicated with H.pylori. Omeprazole was formulated as fast dissolving enteric-coated pellets by using extrusion spheronisation technique. Enteric coating material used was Eudragit 30D-L-55.