Development of Solid Dispersion by Hot Melt Extrusion Using Mixtures of Polyoxylglycerides With Polymers as Carriers for Increasing Dissolution Rate of a Poorly Soluble Drug Model

Various polyoxylglycerides have been researched extensively in the development of solid dispersions (SDs) for bioavailability enhancement of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, because of their low melting points (40°C-60°C), SDs produced are usually soft and semisolid. The objective of present study was to prepare SDs of a Biopharmaceutical Classification System class II drug, carvedilol, in mixtures of stearoyl polyoxylglycerides (Acconon^® C-50; m.p. ～50°C) with polymers by hot melt extrusion to obtain free-flowing powder upon grinding. Miscibility of carvedilol with Kollidon^® VA64, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, and Klucel^? EXF was first evaluated by film casting, and Kollidon^® VA64 was selected for further study. SDs containing 5%-20% carvedilol, 0%-20% Acconon^® C-50, and the remaining Kollidon^® VA64 were prepared for hot melt extrusion. SDs were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction analysis, and dissolution tests were conducted in 250 mL of pH 6.8 phosphate buffer by filling powders in capsules. Carvedilol was miscible with all polymers tested up to 50% and remained amorphous in SDs. The drug release from formulations containing 20% carvedilol and 0, 5%, 10%, and 20% Acconon^® C-50 were 30%, 30%, 70%, and 90%, respectively, in 60 min. SDs containing carvedilol and Acconon^® C-50, up to 20% each, as well as Kollidon^® VA64, were physically stable after 3 months of storage at 25°C/60% relative humidity.