Multiple water-oil-water emulsions as prolonged release formulations of pentazocine

Abstract

The influence of some additives on the release characteristics of pentazocine from multiple W/O/ W emulsions was studied. The emulsions were prepared by a well established two-step emulsification technique. Additives were present in either the internal or the external aqueous phase. The in vitro drug diffusion studies were performed in various diffusion media in the pH range of the gastrointestinal tract, while in vivo studies were carried out in mice in which drug levels were determined in various tissues after oral administration of different formulations. It was observed that multiple W/0/W emulsions gave a well controlled and delayed release of pentazocine. © 1990.