Crystallization processes in pharmaceutical technology and drug delivery design

Crystallization is a major technological process for particle formation in pharmaceutical industry and, in addition, plays an important role in defini ng the stability and drug release properties of the final dosage forms. Ind ustrial and regulatory aspects of crystallization are briefly reviewed with reference to solid-state properties of pharmaceuticals. Crystallization, i ncorporating wider definition to include precipitation and solid-state tran sitions, is considered in terms of preparation of materials for direct comp ression, formation of amorphous, solvated and polymorphic forms. chiral sep aration of drugs, production of materials for inhalation drug delivery and injections. Finally, recent developments in supercritical fluid particle te chnology is considered in relationship to the areas discussed. (C) 2000 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.