Hydroxyproplmethylcellulose (HPMC) and three viscosity grades of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC), namely NaCMC (Blanose 7H 4XF(R)), NaCMC (Courlose P 800(R)), and NaCMC (Courlose P 350(R)), were investigated for their ability to provide a sustained release of propranolol hydrochloride from matrices. The rank order of release rate, in the absence of HPMC, was NaCMC (Blanose) < NaCMC P 800 < NaCMC P 350 for matrices containing 95-285 mg NaCMC, and was dependent on their viscosity grades. The effects of changing the ratio of HPMC to NaCMC (Blanose) and the drug/total polymer ratio were examined. The release rates decreased as the proportion of NaCMC in the matrices increased. Zero-order release of propranolol hydrochloride was obtained from matrices containing 285 mg 3:1 NaCMC (Blanose)/HPMC. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to quantify the moisture uptake by the polymers at 37 degrees C. Wafers containing NaCMC (Blanose) or I:I HPMC/NaCMC (Blanose) absorbed water,similarly, A study of the erosion rates of matrices containing polymer only indicated that NaCMC (Blanose) eroded more quickly than. HPMC. When propranolol hydrochloride was included in matrices containing NaCMC (Blanose), the erosion was reduced as a result of the insolubility of a complex formed between NaCMC and propranolol hydrochloride. The interaction between propranolol hydrochloride and NaCMC (Blanose) was confirmed by both dialysis and by monitoring the release of sodium ions from the matrices.
