Purpose: To investigate changes in drug dissolution on storage of ternary solid-dispersion granules containing poorly water-soluble drugs.
Methods: Hot-melt granulation was used to prepare ternary solid-dispersion granules in which the drug was dispersed in a carrier and coated onto an adsorbent. Seven drugs including four carboxylic acid-containing drugs (BAY 12-9566, naproxen, ketoprofen, and indomethacin). a hydroxyl-containing drug (testosterone), an amide-containing drug (phenacetin), and a drug with no proton-donating group (progesterone) were studied. Gelucire 50/13 and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000 were used as dispersion carriers whereas Neusilin US2 (magnesium aluminosilicate) was used as the surface adsorbent.
Results: Two competing mechanisms have been proposed to explain the complex changes observed in drug dissolution upon storage of solid dispersion granules. Conversion of the crystalline drug to the amorphous hydrogen bonded (to Neusilin) state seems to increase dissolution, whereas, the phenomenon of Ostwald ripening can be used to explain the decrease in drug dissolution upon storage. The solubility of the drug in Gelucire is a crucial factor in determining the predominant mechanism by governing the flux toward the surface of Neusilin. The mobility for this phenomenon was provided by the existence of the eutectic mixture in the molten liquid state during storage.
Conclusions: A competitive balance between hydrogen bonding of the drugs with Neusilin and Ostwald ripening determines drug dissolution from solid-dispersion granules upon storage.