FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ACECLOFENAC SOLID DISPERSIONS FOR DISSOLUTION RATE ENHANCEMENT

Abstract

Aceclofenac is a novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) having anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and is widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. One of the major problems with this drug is its low solubility in biological fluids, which results into poor bioavailability after oral administration. Therefore, solid dispersions (SDs) of Aceclofenac were prepared using lactose, mannitol and urea to increase its aqueous solubility. Aceclofenac SDs was prepared in 9:1, 7:3 and 4:1 ratios of the drug to polymer (by weight). In vitro release profiles of all SDs (F-1 to F-9) were comparatively evaluated and also studied against pure Aceclofenac. Faster dissolution was exhibited by solid dispersion containing 9:1 ratio of drug: lactose. The increase in dissolution rate of the drug may be due to increase in wettability, hydrophilic nature of the carrier and due to reduction in drug crystallinity. The prepared solid dispersion was subjected for % practical yield, drug content and infrared (IR) spectroscopic studies. Absence of significant drug-carrier interaction was confirmed by infrared spectroscopic (IR) data.