Abstract
To improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drug and to develop a sustained release tablets, the need for the technique, the formation of solid dispersion with polymeric materials that can potentially enhance the dissolution rate and extent of drug absorption was considered in this study. The 1:1, 1:4, and 1:5 solid dispersions were prepared by spray drying method using PVP K30, ethanol and methylene chloride. The dissolution test was carried out at in phosphate buffer solution at $37^{\circ}C$ in 100 rpm. Solid dispersed drugs were examined using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy, wherein it was found that felodipine is amorphous in the PVP K30 solid dispersion. Felodifine SR tablets were prepared by direct compressing the powder mixture composed of solid dispersed felodipine, lactose, Eudragit and magnesium stearate using a single punch press. In order to develop a sustained-release preparation containing solid dispersed felodipine, a comparative dissolution study was done using commercially existing product as control. The dissolution rate of intact felodipine, solid dispersed felodipine and its physical mixture, respectively, were compared by the dissolution rates for 30 minutes. The dissolution rates of felodipine for 30 minutes from 1:1, 1:4, 1:5 PVP K30 solid dispersion were 70%, 78% and 90%. However, dissolution rate offelodipine from the physical mixture was 5% of drug for 30 minutes. Our developed product Felodipine SR Tablet showed dissolution of 17%, 50% and 89% for 1, 4, and 7 hours. This designed oral delivery system is easy to manufacture, and drug releases behavior is highly reproducible and offers advantages over the existing commercial product. The dissolution rate of felodipine was significantly enhanced, following the formation of solid dispersion. The solid dispersion technique with water-soluble polymer could be used to develop a solid dispersed felodipine SR tablet.
