RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to use the solid dispersion (SD) technique to improve the dissolution rates of indomethacin (IMC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: IMC solid dispersions in PVP K30 and isomalt (GALEN IQ 990) were prepared using the solvent evaporation technique and a hot melt method in weight ratios of 2, 10 and 30% (IMC:PVP). Solid dispersions and physical mixtures were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dissolution test. Physical stability tests were also performed at different temperatures and humidity conditions. RESULTS: The dissolution rates of all solid dispersions were faster than those of their physical mixtures. In samples containing 2% or 10% of IMC, there were no significant differences between the dissolution rates of IMC in PVP and isomalt solid dispersions, but in samples containing 30% of IMC, the dissolution rates were higher in isomalt dispersions. The XRPD analysis showed no crystalline peaks in solid dispersions, indicating that IMC was amorphous within the carrier. The DSC results showed that an interaction occurred between the drug and the carrier in PVP and isomalt dispersions. Physical stability tests at severe storage conditions showed that the dissolution rate of IMC in PVP solid dispersions decreased, while the dissolution profile of IMC in isomalt solid dispersions did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: It was shown that the dissolution rates of IMC in PVP and isomalt solid dispersions were substantially increased compared with their physical mixtures and pure IMC.