Solidification Studies of Polyethylene Glycols,Gelucire 44/14 or their Dispersions with Triamterene or Temazepam

The solidification of polyethylene glycols (PEG 1500, PEG 2000, PEG 4000, PEG 6000), gelucire 44/14 or their dispersions containing triamterene or temazepam were studied to assess the feasibility of using these dispersions to liquid-fill hard gelatin capsules. Solidification from melts, investigated by differential scanning calorimetry using cooling cycles, showed a tendency of the drugs, carriers or their dispersions to supercool. The degree of supercooling depended on the rate of cooling, the drug content and, for the PEGs, on the molecular weight. PEG 1500 and PEG 2000 gave one morphological form, irrespective of cooling rate; PEG 4000 and PEG 6000 solidified into at least two forms, depending on the cooling rate. Incorporation of drugs affected the morphology of the PEGs during solidification. The rate of crystal growth was, furthermore, influenced by the fusion temperature, molecular weight and the degree of supercooling. The degree of crystallinity, as measured by the enthalpies of solidification, decreased with increasing cooling rate. The results show that reducing the rate of solidification could lead to incomplete solidification, giving products that are liable to change on storage.     

The properties of solid dispersions of indomethacin or phenylbutazone in polyethylene glycol

The effects of molecular weight of polyethylene glyeols (PEGs) on the dissolution rates and crystallinity of its solid dispersions with indoniethacin and phenylbutazone have been examined. The dissolution rates of both solid-dispersed drugs decreased as the molecular weight of PEG increased. The indoniethacin dissolution profiles were essentially linear using constant surface area disc methodology and a limiting dissolution rate of about 10.6 mg · min⁻¹ was observed. The phenylbutazone dissolution profiles were. however, generally linear-curvic usually giving lower release rates than the comparative indomethacin weight fractions. A limiting dissolution rate for the linear portions of the profiles was about 1.8 mg · min⁻¹. Infra-red spectra indicated that the differences between the two drugs could partly be explained on the basis of PEG crystallinity. Generally bands in the ranges 1100–1130 and 1200–1400 cm⁻¹ were poorly differentiated in indomethacin dispersions (PEG 1500, PEG 4000 and PEG 6000) but were better differentiated in phenylbutazone dispersions (PEG 4000, PEG 6000 and PEG 20,000). A greater proportion of amorphousness within the PEG moiety was predicted in indomethacin dispersions by the appearance of a new weak band at 1326 cm⁻¹ and by a decrease in intensity of the band at 845 cm⁻¹ at the expense of the peak at 960 cm⁻¹. The evidence was supported by differential scanning calorimetry. The heats of fusion were 44.7, 46.4, 47.2 and 39.5 cal · g⁻¹ for PEG 1500, PEG 4000, PEG 6000 and PEG 20.000 respectively. Heats of fusion for indomethacin dispersions (2, 5 and 10% drug) were generally lower than for the corresponding values for phenylbutazone dispersions-with the exception of PEG 20,000 dispersions. For example, values were obtained of 30.6 and 37.9 cal · g⁻¹ for PEG 1500 dispersions containing 10% indomethacin and phenylbutazone, respectively.     

Physical stability of solid dispersions of the antiviral agent UC-781 with PEG 6000, Gelucire 44/14 and PVP K30

This paper describes the physical stability of solid dispersions of UC-781 with PEG 6000, Gelucire 44/14 and PVP K30 prepared by the solvent and melting methods. The concentration of the drug in the solid dispersions ranged from 5 to 80% w/w. The solid dispersions were stored at 4-8 and 25 degrees C (25% RH), then their physicochemical properties were analysed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction and dissolution studies as a function of storage time. The DSC curves of solid dispersions of UC-781 with PVP K30 did not show any melting peaks corresponding to UC-781 after storage, indicating no recrystallization of the drug. The DSC data obtained from PEG 6000 and Gelucire 44/14 showed some variations in melting peak temperatures and enthalpy of fusion of the carriers. It was shown that the enthalpy of fusion of PEG 6000 in the dispersions increased after storage; it was more pronounced for samples stored at 25 degrees C compared to those at 4-8 degrees C indicating the reorganization of the crystalline domains of the polymer. Similarly, the enthalpy of fusion of Gelucire 44/14 in the solid dispersions increased as a function of time. Dissolution of UC-781 from all solid dispersions decreased as a function of storage time. While these observations concurred with the DSC data for all solid dispersions, they were not reflected by X-ray powder diffraction data. It was concluded that it is the change of the physical state of the carriers and not that of the drug, which is responsible for the decreased dissolution properties of the solid dispersions investigated.     

Mechanism of increased dissolution of diazepam and temazepam from polyethylene glycol 6000 solid dispersions

Solid dispersion literature, describing the mechanism of dissolution of drug-polyethylene glycol dispersions, still shows some gaps; (A). only few studies include experiments evaluating solid solution formation and the particle size of the drug in the dispersion particles, two factors that can have a profound effect on the dissolution. (B). Solid dispersion preparation involves a recrystallisation process (which is known to be highly sensitive to the recrystallisation conditions) of polyethylene glycol and possibly also of the drug. Therefore, it is of extreme importance that all experiments are performed on dispersion aliquots, which can be believed to be physico-chemical identical. This is not always the case. (C). Polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) crystallises forming lamellae with chains either fully extended or folded once or twice depending on the crystallisation conditions. Recently, a high resolution differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)-method, capable of evaluating qualitatively and quantitatively the polymorphic behaviour of PEG6000, has been reported. Unraveling the relationship between the polymorphic behavior of PEG6000 in a solid dispersion and the dissolution characteristics of that dispersion, is a real gain to our knowledge of solid dispersions, since this has never been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the present study was to fill up the three above mentioned gaps in solid dispersion literature. Therefore, physical mixtures and solid dispersions were prepared and in order to unravel the relationship between their physico-chemical properties and dissolution characteristics, pure drugs (diazepam, temazepam), polymer (PEG6000), solid dispersions and physical mixtures were characterised by DSC, X-ray powder diffraction (Guinier and Bragg-Brentano method), FT-IR spectroscopy, dissolution and solubility experiments and the particle size of the drug in the dispersion particles was estimated using a newly developed method. Addition of PEG6000 improves the dissolution rate of both drugs. Mechanisms involved are solubilisation and improved wetting of the drug in the polyethylene glycol rich micro-environment formed at the surface of drug crystals after dissolution of the polymer. Formulation of solid dispersions did not further improve the dissolution rate compared with physical mixtures. X-ray spectra show that both drugs are in a highly crystalline state in the solid dispersions, while no significant changes in the lattice spacings of PEG6000 indicate the absence of solid solution formation. IR spectra show the absence of a hydrogen bonding interaction between the benzodiazepines and PEG6000. Furthermore, it was concluded that the reduction of the mean drug particle size by preparing solid dispersions with PEG6000 is limited and that the influence of the polymorphic behavior of PEG6000 (as observed by DSC) on the dissolution was negligible.     

Improvement of the dissolution kinetics of SR 33557 by means of solid dispersions containing PEG 6000

Solid dispersions of SR 33557 in preparations containing from 30 to 80% w/w polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) were prepared by the fusion method. The solubility of the drug substance either alone or in solid dispersions was determined in pH 1.2 and 4.5 media (extraction fluid NFXII, without enzyme). A large increase in the solubility was noted from the 80% w/w PEG preparation. A wettability study performed by measuring the contact angle on tablets of either drug substance or PEG 6000, or solid dispersions, revealed a minimal contact angle for the 80% w/w PEG 6000 solid dispersion (eutectic composition of SR 33557/PEG 6000 phase diagram). Dissolution kinetic analysis performed at pH 1.2 on all solid dispersions, on the physical mixtures containing 70 and 80% w/w PEG 6000, and on SR 33557 alone, showed a maximum release rate (100%) for the solid dispersions containing 70 and 80% w/w PEG 6000. The dissolution rate of the physical mixtures was faster than that of the drug substance alone but remained, however, lower than that of the solid dispersions, at the same composition. It was also observed that the dissolution rate, at pH 1.2 and 4.5, of the 70% w/w PEG 6000 solid dispersion was practically pH independent, which was not the case for the drug substance alone. The latter solid dispersion showed a slowing down of the dissolution kinetics after 3 months storage at 50°C whereas no change in the dissolution rate was observed following storage for 12 months at 25°C.     

缬沙坦固体分散体的制备及体外溶出度研究

目的采用冷冻干燥法制备缬沙坦（Valsartan）速释固体分散体（SD）来提高其体外溶出度。方法分别以羟丙甲基纤维素（HPMC）、聚乙二醇6000（PEG6000）、聚乙烯吡咯烷酮k30（PVPk30）为载体,十二烷基硫酸钠（SDS）为表面活性剂来制备不同比例的缬沙坦固体分散体,通过测定体外溶出度,来选择最优辅料及比例,结果当以PEG6000载体,SDS为表面活性剂时,且药物：PEG6000：SDS=1：5：1％时药物呈现了很好的水溶性。结论在5min时即可溶出90％以上,很大程度上提高了缬沙坦的体外溶出度。     

硝苯地平固体分散体制备工艺的研究

目的利用固体分散技术将硝苯地平制成固体分散体,提高其体外溶出速率。方法分别以聚乙二醇6000(PEG6000)、聚乙二醇4000(PEG4000)、聚乙烯吡咯烷酮K30(PVPK30)、泊洛沙姆188(Pluronic F68)等为载体,用熔融法、溶剂法、溶剂-熔融法和喷雾干燥法制备硝苯地平固体分散体。采用差热分析法(DTA)分析药物在固体分散体中的存在状态,并进行体外溶出度试验。结果各种固体分散体均能加快药物的溶出速率,并且随着载体在固体分散体中的比例增大,溶出速率增大。DTA分析显示硝苯地平在PVPK30的固体分散体中以微细结晶存在。结论将硝苯地平制成固体分散体能显著提高硝苯地平的体外溶出速率。     

Physicochemical characterization of solid dispersions of the antiviral agent UC-781 with polyethylene glycol 6000 and Gelucire 44/14

The purpose of this study was to prepare and characterize solid dispersions of the antiviral thiocarboxanilide UC-781 with PEG 6000 and Gelucire 44/14 with the intention of improving its dissolution properties. The solid dispersions were prepared by the fusion method. Evaluation of the properties of the dispersions was performed using dissolution studies, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. To investigate the possible formation of solid solutions of the drug in the carriers, the lattice spacings [d] of PEG 6000 and Gelucire 44/14 were determined in different concentrations of UC-781. The results obtained showed that the rate of dissolution of UC-781 was considerably improved when formulated in solid dispersions with PEG 6000 and Gelucire 44/14 as compared to pure UC-781. From the phase diagrams of PEG 6000 and Gelucire 44/14 it could be noted that up to approximately 25% w/w of the drug was dissolved in the liquid phase in the case of PEG 6000 and Gelucire 44/14. The data from the X-ray diffraction showed that the drug was still detectable in the solid state below a concentration of 5% w/w in the presence of PEG 6000 and Gelucire 44/14, while no significant changes in the lattice spacings of PEG 6000 or Gelucire 44/14 were observed. Therefore, the possibility of UC-781 to form solid solutions with the carriers under investigation was ruled out. The results from infrared spectroscopy together with those from X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry showed the absence of well-defined drug–polymer interactions.     

布格呋喃固体分散体的体外研究

布格呋喃(buagafuran,AF-5)是以( )香芹酮为起始原料通过立体选择性合成的沉香呋喃类化合物[1].它具有显著的抗焦虑作用,毒副作用低,市场前景广阔.布格呋喃为油状液体,脂溶性强,不溶于水.用植物油稀释进行小鼠灌胃,抗焦虑活性与空白组比较无统计学意义,不能较好地发挥药效.室温放置易发生降解,化学稳定性差.这些缺     

联苯双酯的共沉淀物和固体分散物的制备及其对湿度的稳定性

联苯双酯从它的PVP共沉淀物和它的PEG4000、PEG6000的固体分散物中的体外溶出速率明显高于市售片剂(P<0.01),非离子表面活性剂对联苯双酯的共沉淀物和固体分散物体外溶出速率几乎无影响,联苯双酯的固体分散物对湿度(75%RH,40℃)的稳定性高于其共沉淀物。     

替硝唑固体分散体的制备及其体外释放特性研究

目的:利用固体分散技术制备替硝唑固体分散体,增加替硝唑溶解度和溶出速度。方法:以聚乙二醇(PEG)为载体材料,采用溶剂-熔融法制成固体分散体,测定表观溶解度,进行体外溶出试验,并采用差示扫描量热(DSC)法鉴别药物在固体分散体中的存在状态。结果:替硝唑的溶出度和表观溶解度随PEG的比例不同而不同,且溶出度随载体用量增加而增加。固体分散体的DSC曲线中替硝唑药物的特征熔融峰消失。结论:所制得的固体分散体能明显提高替硝唑的溶出度和表观溶解度。     

Characteristics of rofecoxib-polyethylene glycol 4000 solid dispersions and tablets based on solid dispersions

The aim of this work was to report the properties of rofecoxib-PEG 4000 solid dispersions and tablets prepared using rofecoxib solid dispersions. Rofecoxib is a poorly water soluble nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with a poor dissolution profile. This work investigated the possibility of developing rofecoxib tablets, allowing fast, reproducible, and complete rofecoxib dissolution, by using rofecoxib solid dispersion in polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the solid state of solid dispersions. The effect of PEG 4000 concentration on the dissolution rate of rofecoxib from its solid dispersions was investigated. The dissolution rate of rofecoxib from its solid dispersions increased with an increasing amount of PEG 4000. The extent of dissolution rate enhancement was estimated by calculating the mean dissolution time (MDT) values. The MDT of rofecoxib decreased significantly after preparing its solid dispersions with PEG 4000. The FTIR spectroscopic studies showed the stability of rofecoxib and absence of well-defined rofecoxib-PEG 4000 interaction. The DSC and XRD studies indicated the amorphous state of rofecoxib in solid dispersions of rofecoxib with PEG 4000. SEM pictures showed the formation of effective solid dispersions of rofecoxib with PEG 4000 since well-defined change in the surface nature of rofecoxib and solid dispersions were observed. Solid dispersions formulation with highest drug dissolution rate (rofecoxib: PEG 4000 1:10 ratio) was used for the preparation of solid dispersion-based rofecoxib tablets by the direct compression method. Solid dispersion-based rofecoxib tablets obtained by direct compression, with a hardness of 8.1 Kp exhibited rapid drug dissolution and produced quick anti-inflammatory activity when compared to conventional tablets containing pure rofecoxib at the same drug dosage. This indicated that the improved dissolution rate and quick anti-inflammatory activity of rofecoxib can be obtained from its solid dispersion-based oral tablets.     

Physicochemical characterization and in vivo properties of Zolpidem in solid dispersions with polyethylene glycol 4000 and 6000.

Solid dispersions and physical mixtures of Zolpidem in polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) and 6000 (PEG 6000) were prepared with the aim to increase its aqueous solubility. These PEG based formulations of the drug were characterized in solid state by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. By these physical determinations no drug-polymer interactions were evidenced. Both solubility and dissolution rate of the drug in these formulations were increased. Each individual dissolution profile of PEG based formulation fitted Baker-Lonsdale and first order kinetic models. Finally, significant differences in ataxic induction time were observed between Zolpidem orally administered as suspension of drug alone and as solid dispersion or physical mixture. These formulations, indeed, showed almost two- to three-fold longer ataxic induction times suggesting that, in the presence of PEG, the intestinal membrane permeability is probably the rate-limiting factor of the absorption process. Copyright     

Characteristics of Rofecoxib-Polyethylene Glycol 4000 Solid Dispersions and Tablets Based on Solid Dispersions

The aim of this work was to report the properties of rofecoxib-PEG 4000 solid dispersions and tablets prepared using rofecoxib solid dispersions. Rofecoxib is a poorly water soluble nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with a poor dissolution profile. This work investigated the possibility of developing rofecoxib tablets, allowing fast, reproducible, and complete rofecoxib dissolution, by using rofecoxib solid dispersion in polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the solid state of solid dispersions. The effect of PEG 4000 concentration on the dissolution rate of rofecoxib from its solid dispersions was investigated. The dissolution rate of rofecoxib from its solid dispersions increased with an increasing amount of PEG 4000. The extent of dissolution rate enhancement was estimated by calculating the mean dissolution time (MDT) values. The MDT of rofecoxib decreased significantly after preparing its solid dispersions with PEG 4000. The FTIR spectroscopic studies showed the stability of rofecoxib and absence of well-defined rofecoxib-PEG 4000 interaction. The DSC and XRD studies indicated the amorphous state of rofecoxib in solid dispersions of rofecoxib with PEG 4000. SEM pictures showed the formation of effective solid dispersions of rofecoxib with PEG 4000 since well-defined change in the surface nature of rofecoxib and solid dispersions were observed. Solid dispersions formulation with highest drug dissolution rate (rofecoxib: PEG 4000 1:10 ratio) was used for the preparation of solid dispersion–based rofecoxib tablets by the direct compression method. Solid dispersion–based rofecoxib tablets obtained by direct compression, with a hardness of 8.1 Kp exhibited rapid drug dissolution and produced quick anti-inflammatory activity when compared to conventional tablets containing pure rofecoxib at the same drug dosage. This indicated that the improved dissolution rate and quick anti-inflammatory activity of rofecoxib can be obtained from its solid dispersion–based oral tablets.     

呱西替柳滴丸的制备及其溶出度研究

采用差示扫描量热法、扫描电子显微镜术和溶出试验研究了呱西替柳-聚乙二醇(GA-PEG)低共熔混合物及其滴丸。结果表明,随着 PEG 分子量增高,低共熔混合物中药物的比例增加,但低共熔温度与PEG 分子量之间并无规律性。其中 GA-PEG4000的滴丸有较大的溶出度,加入崩解剂有助于增加滴丸与溶出介质接触的表面积,进而提高溶出度。     

水飞蓟素-聚乙二醇6000固体分散体系的制备及其特征考察

目的制备水飞蓟素固体分散体，加快药物的溶出，并进行特征考察。方法以聚乙二醇6000(PEG6000)为材料，采用熔融法将难溶性药物水飞蓟素制成固体分散体，通过体外释药试验考察固体分散技术对水飞蓟素的增溶作用，并以X-射线粉末衍射、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FT-IR)考察水飞蓟素固体分散体的特性。结果与原药比较，固体分散体中药物的释放速率明显增大，PEG6000固体分散体系能显著加快水飞蓟素的溶出。X-射线粉末衍射分析表明，PEG6000及药物在固体分散体中的晶格点阵面间距离、衍射峰位移及其相对强度等均发生了规律性变化，FT-IR分析表明PEG6000与药物间无相互作用。结论PEG6000固体分散体系的对难溶性药物溶出和扩散的加快，与载体材料和药物的晶格参数的改变密切相关。     

Characterization and stability of solid dispersions based on PEG/polymer blends

Solid dispersions were prepared by a melting method from the water-insoluble model drugs carbamazepine and nifedipine and polyethylene glycol 1500 (PEG 1500) or 1:1 mixtures of PEG 1500 and the polymers polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP 30, PVP 12), polyvinylpyrrolidone-co-vinylacetate (PVPVA) and Eudragit EPO (Eudragit) in order to combine advantages of the different carrier polymers (recrystallization inhibition, processability and stability). The solid dispersions were characterized by dissolution, powder X-ray diffractometry and microscopy directly after preparation and after storage for 3 and 6 months at 25 °C/0% relative humidity (RH) or 3 months at 40 °C/75% RH. More than 80% drugs were released from all solid dispersions within 20 min. The dissolution rate of carbamazepine decreased in the order of PEG 1500 > PEG 1500/Eudragit > PEG 1500/PVP 30 > PEG 1500/PVPVA > PEG 1500/PVP 12. The dissolution rank order was not directly correlated to the amorphous/crystalline state of the drugs, but rather to the properties of the PEG 1500/polymer compositions. Nifedipine was released in the order of PEG 1500 > PEG 1500/PVPVA > PEG 1500/PVP 30 > PEG 1500/PVP 12 > PEG 1500/Eudragit. Amorphous nifedipine was present in all PEG 1500/polymer dispersions except in pure PEG 1500 solid dispersion. The significant increase in dissolution rate of PEG 1500 solid dispersions was due to the reduced crystallinity of the drug and the excellent solubilisation properties of PEG 1500. After 6 months storage at 25 °C/0% RH, the solid dispersions released both drugs in the order PEG 1500/PVPVA > PEG 1500/PVP 30 > PEG 1500/PVP 12 > PEG 1500/Eudragit > PEG 1500. The stabilized amorphous state of the drug resulted in stable dissolution profiles of PEG 1500/PVPVA, PEG 1500/PVP 30 and PEG 1500/PVP 12 when compared to the PEG 1500 solid dispersions, which contained a higher amount of crystalline drug. The solid dispersions with PEG 1500/PVPVA or PEG 1500/PVP stored for 3 months at 40 °C/75% RH showed phase separation due to the hygroscopic properties of the polymers. The influence of 10% (w/w) of the solubilisers polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil (Cremophor), macrogol-15-hydroxystearate (Solutol) and fatty alcohol alkoxylate (Pluronic) on the dissolution rate and the physical state of the drug was significant.     

浙贝提取物固体分散体的制备及溶出特性研究

目的：制备浙贝提取物固体分散体,考察其中贝母素甲及贝母素乙的溶出效果,从而确定制备的最佳方法和最佳比例。方法：选择聚乙二醇6000（PEG6000）与聚乙烯吡咯烷酮（PVP K30）两种载体材料,分别采用熔融法和溶剂法制备浙贝提取物固体分散体;通过比较提取物、固体分散体的溶出性能,确定最佳工艺。结果：使用HPLC-ELSD法测定贝母素甲及贝母素乙的溶出量,结果准确、可靠、稳定。制备成固体分散体能显著提高贝母素甲及贝母素乙的体外溶出速度;PEG6000作为载体的浙贝提取物固体分散体溶出速度快于PVP K30为载体的浙贝提取物固体分散体。结论：以PEG6000为载体,采用熔融法制备的药物/载体比例为1∶6的固体分散体能显著提高浙贝提取物中贝母素甲及贝母素乙的溶出速率。     

Improvement of solubility and dissolution rate of indomethacin by solid dispersions in Gelucire 50/13 and PEG4000

The aim of this study was to prepare and characterize solid dispersions of water insoluble non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin (IND), with polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG4000) and Gelucire 50/13 (Gelu.) for enhancing the dissolution rate of the drug. The solid dispersions (SDs) were prepared by hot melting method at 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4 drug to polymer ratios. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to examine the physical state of the drug. Furthermore, the solubility and the dissolution rate of the drug in its different systems were explored. The data from the XRD showed that the drug was still detectable in its solid state in all SDs of IND–Gelu. and disappeared in case of higher ratio of IND–PEG4000. DSC thermograms showed the significant change in melting peak of the IND when prepared as SDs suggesting the change in crystallinity of IND. The highest ratio of the polymer (1:4) enhanced the drug solubility about 4-folds or 3.5-folds in case of SDs of IND–PEG or IND–Gelu., respectively. An increased dissolution rate of IND at pH 1.2 and 7.4 was observed when the drug was dispersed in these carriers in form of physical mixtures (PMs) or SDs. IND released faster from the SDs than from the pure crystalline drug or the PMs. The dissolution rate of IND from its PMs or SDs increased with an increasing amount of polymer.     

Fast-dissolving tablets of glyburide based on ternary solid dispersions with PEG 6000 and surfactants

Marketed glyburide tablets present unsatisfying dissolution profiles that give rise to variable bioavailability. With the purpose of developing a fast-dissolving tablet formulation able to assure a complete drug dissolution, we investigated the effect of the addition to a reference tablet formulation of different types (anionic and nonionic) and amounts of hydrophilic surfactants, as well as the use of a new technique, based on ternary solid dispersions of the drug with an hydrophilic carrier (polyethylene glycol [PEG] 6000) and a surfactant. Tablets were prepared by direct compression or previous wet granulation of suitable formulations containing the drug with each surfactant or drug:PEG:surfactant ternary dispersions at different PEG:surfactant w/w ratios. The presence of surfactants significantly increased (p<0.01) the drug dissolution rate, but complete drug dissolution was never achieved. On the contrary, in all cases tablets containing ternary solid dispersions achieved 100% dissolved drug within 60 min. The best product was the 10:80:10 w/w ternary dispersion with PEG 6000 and sodium laurylsulphate, showing a dissolution efficiency 5.5-fold greater than the reference tablet formulation and 100% drug dissolution after only 20 min.