The purpose of this study was to formulate sustained release mucoadhesive matrix tablet of antiviral drug lamivudine. Lamivudine matrix tablet was developed to prolong drug release, to enhance the bioavailability, to reduce the chances of dose dumping, so as to reduce the dosing frequency of the tablet. The mucoadhesive matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression technique using different polymers like HPMC K100, Ethyl cellulose and Carbopol 934p as rate retarding polymers. These tablets were evaluated for weight variation, diameter, thickness, hardness, friability, drug content, swelling index, Mucoadhesive strength, drug release and kinetics of release. All the formulations followed the pharmacopeia standards. Through FTIR studies, it was confirmed that there were no interactions between drug, polymers and other excipients. Among the entire formulations F11 batch showed the optimum drug release of 83.38 % for 12 hrs with Mucoadhesive strength of 55 grams.

Pharmaceutical research are increasingly focusing on new delivery systems which enhances desired therapeutic objective and therefore minimising side effects. The multiparticulate drug delivery systems are suitable for oral formulation to achieve controlled or delayed release. It has advantages like low dose dumping, flexibility of blending to attain different release pattern and for short gastric residence time. Therefore multiparticulate drug delivery system (MPDDS) provides opportunities in designing controlled and delayed release oral formulation. Pellets are defined as spherical/ semi-spherical, free flowing solid units with a narrow size distribution, typically in diameter between 0.5-2.0 mm.Pelletization technique is used to produce pellets. Pelletization techniques include Extrusion speronization, layering, Cryopelletization, freeze pelletization, spray congealing, spray drying and compression.Extrusion sheronization is widely used technique due to high efficiency and fast and simple processing.