Abstract
Ion exchange resin complexes of famotidine have been prepared by the reaction of famotidine solution with activated ion exchange resins. Complex formation efficiency between famotidine and ion exchange resin was about $80{\sim}90%$ in average, calculated by HPLC determination. Drug release characteristics from the resin complexes were evaluated by the modified percolation method. Famotidine release was dependent on the type of ion exchange resins. In the case of weakly acidic resin complexes, the cumulative released amount of famotidine was more than 90% for 1hr in pH 1.2 buffer solution. However, in the case of strongly acidic resin complexes, it was less than 5% for 3hr in the same medium. Strongly acidic resins revealed some advantages over weakly, acidic resins for overcoming instability of famotidine in gastric juice. In addition, strongly acidic resin complexes showed controlled release of famotidine in pH 6.8 buffer solution, showing the result of about 60 to 70% of drug release for 5hr. After oral administrations of famotidine-resin complexes to rats as dose of 40 mg equivalent/kg, the pharmacokinetic parameters of famotidine were obtained by model independent analysis and compared with those of famotidine solution or suspension. $C_{max}$ of famotidine-resin complex was lower than that of famotidine solution or suspension. MRT, MAT, and MDT of the complexes were greater than those of famotidine solution or suspension. From these results, it was expected that famotidine was released slowly from the complexes and absorbed continuously into systemic circulation. It was recognized that drug release from the complexes was the rate-limiting step in drug absorption, since there were close correlations between in vitro drug release and in vivo pharmacokinetic parameters.