Enhanced release of solid dispersions of etodolac in polyethylene glycol

This work examines the release of etodolac from various molecular weight fr actions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solid dispersions. Solid dispersions o f etodolac were prepared in different molar ratios of drug/carrier by using solvent and melting methods. The release rate of etodolac from the resulti ng complexes was determined from dissolution studies by use of USP dissolut ion apparatus 2 (paddle method). The physical state and drug:PEG interactio n of solid dispersions and physical mixtures were characterized by X-ray di ffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and differential scanning calor imetry (DSC). The dissolution rate of etodolac is increased in all of the s olid dispersion systems compared to that of the pure drug and physical mixt ures. The solid dispersion compound prepared in the molar ratio of 1:5 by t he solvent method was found to have the fastest dissolution profile. The ph ysical properties did not change after 9 months storage in normal condition s. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.