Sustained ophthalmic delivery of ofloxacin from a pH triggered in situ gelling system

The poor bioavailability and therapeutic response exhibited by conventional ophthalmic solutions due to rapid precorneal elimination of the drug may be overcome by the use of in situ gel-forming systems that are instilled as drops into the eye and undergo a set-gel transition in the cul-de-sac. The present work describes the formulation and evaluation of an ophthalmic delivery system of an antibacterial agent, ofloxacin, based on the concept of pH-triggered in situ gelation. Polyacrylic acid (Carbopol((R)) 940) was used as the gelling agent in combination with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Methocel E50LV) which acted as a viscosity enhancing agent. The developed formulation was therapeutically efficacious, stable, non-irritant and provided sustained release of the drug over an 8-h period. The developed system is thus a viable alternative to conventional eye drops. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.