Preparation of pantoprazole sodium enteric-coated pellets-type tablets

This study is to prepare the pantoprazole sodium enteric-coated tablet which is compacted by pellets.  The enteric-coated pantoprazole sodium pellets were prepared by fluid bed coating technology.  The pantoprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets were prepared by direct compression of the enteric-coated pellets and suitable excipients.  In vitro dissolution method and scanning electron microscope method were used for the observation of the drug release behavior before and after compression of the pellets.  The optimized formulation is: the coating level is 55%, the plasticizer content is 20%, the ratio of Eudragit L30D-55/NE30D is 8∶2, enteric- coated pellets / excipients (MCC/PPVP/PEG 6000 = 2∶1∶1) is 5∶5, the enteric-coated tablets release in artificial gastric fluid in 2 h is less than 10%, while in artificial intestinal fluid in 1 h is more than 85%.  The release behavior of pantoprazole sodium enteric-coated pellets-type tablet is quite well.  And it may be used in industrial production.