Study on Levetiracetam Sustained-release Pellets

OBJECTIVE To study the formulation and influence factors of drug release in vitro of the levetiracetam sustained-release pellets. METHODS Levetiracetam sustained-release pellets were prepared by extrusion-spheronisation method, and in a fluidized bed coating system using Surelease? E-7-19010 as coating materials. RESULTS The drug release in vitro of the levetiracetam sustained-release pellets accords with first-order release in 12 h. Porogen, coating weight and pellets size had effect on the drug release rate. While the rotating speed had little effect on it within a certain range. CONCLUSION A simple preparation method of the levetiracetam sustained-release pellets was developed. The pellets can reach the obvious sustained-release characteristics.