Crosslinked hydrogels—a promising class of insoluble solid molecular dispersion carriers for enhancing the delivery of poorly soluble drugs

Water-insoluble materials containing amorphous solid dispersions (ASD) are an emerging category of drug carriers which can effectively improve dissolution kinetics and kinetic solubility of poorly soluble drugs. ASDs based on water-insoluble crosslinked hydrogels have unique features in contrast to those based on conventional water-soluble and water-insoluble carriers. For example, solid molecular dispersions of poorly soluble drugs in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) can maintain a high level of supersaturation over a prolonged period of time via a feedback-controlled diffusion mechanism thus avoiding the initial surge of supersaturation followed by a sharp decline in drug concentration typically encountered with ASDs based on water-soluble polymers. The creation of both immediate- and controlled-release ASD dosage forms is also achievable with the PHEMA based hydrogels. So far, ASD systems based on glassy PHEMA have been shown to be very effective in retarding precipitation of amorphous drugs in the solid state to achieve a robust physical stability. This review summarizes recent research efforts in investigating the potential of developing crosslinked PHEMA hydrogels as a promising alternative to conventional water-soluble ASD carriers, and a related finding that the rate of supersaturation generation does affect the kinetic solubility profiles implications to hydrogel based ASDs.KEY WORDS: Amorphous solid dispersions, Crosslinked hydrogels, Poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate), Supersaturation, Kinetic solubility     

Formulation and delivery of improved amorphous fenofibrate solid dispersions prepared by thin film freezing

The objective of this study was to prepare amorphous fenofibrate (FB) solid dispersions using thin film freezing (TFF) and to incorporate the solid dispersions into pharmaceutically acceptable dosage forms. FB solid dispersions prepared with optimized drug/polymer ratios were characterized by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area measurements, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), and supersaturation dissolution testing. Furthermore, a dry granulation technique was used to encapsulate the TFF compositions for in vitro dissolution and in vivo animal pharmacokinetic studies. The results showed that the TFF process produced amorphous, porous, microstructured, and stable solid dispersions with high surface areas. Development of solid oral dosage forms revealed that the performance of the FB containing solid dispersions was not affected by the formulation process, which was confirmed by DSC and XRD. Moreover, an in vivo pharmacokinetic study in rats revealed a significant increase in FB absorption compared to bulk FB. We confirmed that amorphous solid dispersions with large surface areas produced by the TFF process displayed superior dissolution rates and corresponding enhanced bioavailability of the poorly water-soluble drug, FB.     

Emerging trends in the stabilization of amorphous drugs

The number of active pharmaceutical substances having high therapeutic potential but low water solubility is constantly increasing, making it difficult to formulate these compounds as oral dosage forms. The solubility and dissolution rate, and thus potentially the bioavailability, of these poorly water-soluble drugs can be increased by the formation of stabilized amorphous forms. Currently, formulation as solid polymer dispersions is the preferred method to enhance drug dissolution and to stabilize the amorphous form of a drug.     

Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Supersaturation of Emodin Ternary Solid Dispersions Based on Bonding Agents

The use of solid dispersions (SDs) is an established method for improving the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, there have been few studies on the molecular mechanisms contributing to SD supersaturation. Emodin ternary SDs (TSDs) were prepared by hot melt extrusion (HME) using Kollidon® VA64 as the polymer carrier and nicotinamide as the bonding agent. Molecular docking and solubility tests were used to assist screening of polymer carriers, and in vitro dissolution and dissociation constant data were used to optimize the formulation. A variety of analytical methods and molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the mechanism of SD supersaturation at the molecular level. The results showed that molecular migration, intermolecular interactions, drug crystal transformation and dissociation constant were particularly important factors in SD supersaturation. This study proposes a new strategy to improve solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs and explore the molecular mechanisms of TSD supersaturation, which could provide a basis for the rational selection of excipients for pharmaceutical preparations.     

Investigation of Ethylene Oxide-co-propylene Oxide for Dissolution Enhancement of Hot-Melt Extruded Solid Dispersions

The optimal design of amorphous solid dispersion formulations requires the use of excipients to maintain supersaturation and improve physical stability to ensure shelf-life stability and better absorption during intestinal transit, respectively. Blends of excipients (surfactants and polymers) are often used within pharmaceutical products to improve the oral delivery of Biopharmaceutical Classification System class II drugs. Therefore, in this study, a dissolution enhancer, poloxamer 407 (P407), was investigated to determine its effect on the dissolution properties and on the amorphous nature of the active pharmaceutical ingredient contained in the formulation. Phase solubility studies of indomethacin (INM) in aqueous solutions of P407 and poly(vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer) showed an increase in the kinetic solubility of INM compared with the pure drug at 37°C with a K_a value of 0.041 μg/mL. The solid dispersions showed a higher dissolution rate when compared to pure and amorphous drugs when performed in pH buffer 1.2 with a kinetic solubility of 21 μg/mL. The stability data showed that the amorphous drug in solid solutions with poly(vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer) and P407 remained amorphous, and the %P407 loading had no effect on the amorphous stability of INM. This study concluded that the amorphous solid dispersion contributed to the increased solubility of INM.     

Supersaturating drug delivery systems: fast is not necessarily good enough

An emerging technology subtype that has been adopted by formulators to address low-solubility issues is the supersaturating drug delivery system; this system is based on the "spring" and "parachute" design elements, which have been applied to lipid-based formulations, S(M)EDDS, solid dispersions, nano-based systems, and many others. This broad formulation approach attempts to delicately balance the need of creating intraluminal drug concentrations in excess of its thermodynamic solubility while at the same time providing for sufficient solution stability to allow for useful drug absorption. The conundrum created is that the higher the extent of supersaturation, the lower the physical stability of the metastable solution based on an increased tendency for a solubilized drug to precipitate. Traditional dissolution testing is a touchstone of formulation development based on the need for useful dissolution rates and drug availability. Dissolution testing is likewise important in the development and characterization of enabling and supersaturating drug delivery systems; however, their execution and interpretation are distinct from that associated with conventional dosage forms. The nature of the dissolution assay (sink versus nonsink, apparatus type, and rate and extent of supersaturation) can impact the ability to efficiently use the dissolution data in the configuration of these enabling formulations.     

Evaluation of Drug Supersaturation by Thermodynamic and Kinetic Approaches for the Prediction of Oral Absorbability in Amorphous Pharmaceuticals

Supersaturation behavior of model drugs, danazol, griseofulvin, itraconazole, vemurafenib, and ER-34122, was analyzed by both thermodynamic and kinetic approaches to better understand the absorption characteristics of amorphous pharmaceuticals. For each amorphous drug, the extent of supersaturation during in vitro dissolution was proved to be similar to that in vivo, which was estimated from relative bioavailability data. The theoretical limit of supersaturation was thermodynamically calculated from several thermal properties and water sorption isotherms of amorphous solids. in vitro and in vivo supersaturation of amorphous vemurafenib was thermodynamically controlled and was in good agreement with the theoretical limit. On the contrary, the supersaturation ratio of the other four drugs was highly overestimated by the thermodynamic calculation. However, it was satisfactorily explained by considering supersaturation stability, which indicated how long supersaturation can be maintained without crystal nucleation. Supersaturation stability was evaluated by measuring the induction time for crystal nucleation kinetically. Concomitant use of thermodynamic and kinetic approaches is, therefore, invaluable in evaluating supersaturation behavior of amorphous materials and assessing development potential of poorly water-soluble drugs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 101:4220–4230, 2012     

Supersaturating Drug Delivery Systems: The Answer to Solubility-Limited Oral Bioavailability?

: Contemporary pharmaceutical pipelines are often highly populated with poorly water-soluble drug candidates necessitating novel formulation technologies to provide dosage forms with appropriate biopharmaceutical properties. The configuration of supersaturating drug delivery systems (SDDS) is a promising concept to obtain adequate oral bioavailability. SDDS contain the drug in a high energy or otherwise rapidly dissolving form such that intraluminal concentrations above the saturation solubility of the drug are generated. For the strategy to be useful, the formed supersaturated solution must then be stabilized to allow for significant absorption and eventually sufficient bioavailability. The stabilization of a supersaturated solution can be accomplished by adding precipitation inhibitors which may act through a variety of mechanisms. The goal of this review is to assess methods and excipients associated with the development of SDDS and provide some context for their use. In addition, the future directions and factors likely to contribute to or detract from optimal dosage form selection are assessed. This includes a discussion on the potential effect of the gastrointestinal physiology on the ability to attain and maintain supersaturation as this information is essential in designing useful formulations based on the supersaturating concept.     

Enhanced dissolution of celecoxib by supersaturating self-emulsifying drug delivery system (S-SEDDS) formulation

A supersaturating self-emulsifying drug delivery system (S-SEDDS) was prepared and evaluated for enhanced dissolution of celecoxib (CXB), a poorly water-soluble drug. The selected CXB-dissolved SEDDS formulation consisting 10 % Capryol 90 (oil), 45 % Tween 20 (surfactant), and 45 % Tetraglycol (cosurfactant) had the characteristics of small droplet size and great solubility as 208 nm and 556.7 mg/mL in average, respectively. CXB dissolution from SEDDS in simulated gastric fluid was increased to about 20 % for the initial period of 5 min, but decreased to a half level as time elapsed. Thus, precipitation inhibitors were screened to stabilize the supersaturation. The stabilizing effect of Soluplus, an amphiphilic copolymer, was concentration-dependent, revealing the greatest dissolution of approximately 90 % level with delayed drug crystallization by the addition of the copolymer. CXB dissolution from S-SEDDS was pH-independent. We concluded that S-SEDDS formulation would be very useful in the future for developing oral delivery product of poorly water-soluble drugs.     

Novel piroxicam-loaded nanospheres generated by the electrospraying technique: physicochemical characterisation and oral bioavailability evaluation

To determine if a novel electrospraying technique could be applied to an oral drug delivery system for improving the solubility and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble piroxicam; the nanospheres were generated with drug and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) using electrospraying technique; and their physicochemical properties, solubility, release and pharmacokinetics were evaluated in comparison with piroxicam powder. All nanospheres had significantly increased drug solubility and dissolution rates in comparison with the drug powder. In particular, the nanosphere composed of piroxicam and PVP at a weight ratio of 2:8 gave about 600-fold higher solubility, 15-fold higher release rate and 3-fold higher AUC in comparison to piroxicam powder, leading to significantly enhanced oral bioavailability in rats, due to the mingled effect of nanonisation along with transformation to the amorphous state. Thus, this electrospraying technique can be utilised to produce a novel oral nanosphere delivery system with enhanced solubility and oral bioavailability for poorly water-soluble piroxicam.     

In Vitro Characterization of a Novel Polymeric System for Preparation of Amorphous Solid Drug Dispersions

Preparation of amorphous solid dispersions using polymers is a commonly used formulation strategy for enhancing the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, often a single polymer may not bring about a significant enhancement in solubility or amorphous stability of a poorly water-soluble drug. This study describes application of a unique and novel binary polymeric blend in preparation of solid dispersions. The objective of this study was to investigate amorphous solid dispersions of glipizide, a BCS class II model drug, in a binary polymeric system of polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP) and hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, HPMC). The solid dispersions were prepared using two different solvent methods: rotary evaporation (rotavap) and fluid bed drug layering on sugar spheres. The performance and physical stability of the dispersions were evaluated with non-sink dissolution testing, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (mDSC). PXRD analysis demonstrated an amorphous state for glipizide, and mDSC showed no evidence of phase separation. Non-sink dissolution testing in pH 7.5 phosphate buffer indicated more than twofold increase in apparent solubility of the drug with PVAP–HPMC system. The glipizide solid dispersions demonstrated a high glass transition temperature (T _g) and acceptable chemical and physical stability during the stability period irrespective of the manufacturing process. In conclusion, the polymeric blend of PVAP–HPMC offers a unique formulation approach for developing amorphous solid dispersions with the flexibility towards the use of these polymers in different ratios and combined quantities depending on drug properties.     

Biorelevant Dissolution Method Considerations for the Appropriate Evaluation of Amorphous Solid Dispersions: are Two Stages Necessary?

Biorelevant dissolution testing has been widely used to better understand a drug or formulation's behavior in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The successful evaluation of biorelevant dissolution behavior requires recognizing the importance of utilizing suitable biorelevant media in conjunction with an appropriate dissolution method, especially for supersaturating drug delivery systems, such as amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs). However, most conventional biorelevant dissolution testing methods are not able to accurately reflect the dissolution, supersaturation, and precipitation tendencies of a drug or formulation, which could misinform ASD formulation screening and optimization. In this study, we developed a single compartment 2-stage pH-shift dissolution testing method to simulate the changes in pH, media composition, and transit time in the GI tract, and results were compared against the conventional single compartment 1-stage dissolution method. Nine model drugs were selected based on their ionization properties (i.e. acid, base or neutral) and precipitation tendency (i.e. moderate or slow crystallizer). The dissolution results confirmed that 2-stage pH-shift dissolution is the preferred biorelevant dissolution method to assess non-ionized weak base (nifedipine) and neutral (griseofulvin) compounds exhibiting a moderate precipitation rate from solution when formulated as ASDs. Finally, we designed a flowchart guidance for the appropriate biorelevant dissolution performance characterization of different categories of ASD formulations.     

Formulation design for poorly water-soluble drugs based on biopharmaceutics classification system: basic approaches and practical applications

The poor oral bioavailability arising from poor aqueous solubility should make drug research and development more difficult. Various approaches have been developed with a focus on enhancement of the solubility, dissolution rate, and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. To complete development works within a limited amount of time, the establishment of a suitable formulation strategy should be a key consideration for the pharmaceutical development of poorly water-soluble drugs. In this article, viable formulation options are reviewed on the basis of the biopharmaceutics classification system of drug substances. The article describes the basic approaches for poorly water-soluble drugs, such as crystal modification, micronization, amorphization, self-emulsification, cyclodextrin complexation, and pH modification. Literature-based examples of the formulation options for poorly water-soluble compounds and their practical application to marketed products are also provided. Classification of drug candidates based on their biopharmaceutical properties can provide an indication of the difficulty of drug development works. A better understanding of the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of drug substances and the limitations of each delivery option should lead to efficient formulation development for poorly water-soluble drugs.     

Porous Silica-Supported Solid Lipid Particles for Enhanced Solubilization of Poorly Soluble Drugs

Low dissolution of drugs in the intestinal fluid can limit their effectiveness in oral therapies. Here, a novel porous silica-supported solid lipid system was developed to optimize the oral delivery of drugs with limited aqueous solubility. Using lovastatin (LOV) as the model poorly water-soluble drug, two porous silica-supported solid lipid systems (SSL-A and SSL-S) were fabricated from solid lipid (glyceryl monostearate, GMS) and nanoporous silica particles Aerosil 380 (silica-A) and Syloid 244FP (silica-S) via immersion/solvent evaporation. SSL particles demonstrated significantly higher rate and extent of lipolysis in comparison with the pure solid lipid, depending on the lipid loading levels and the morphology. The highest lipid digestion was observed when silica-S was loaded with 34% (w/w) solid lipid, and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis confirmed the encapsulation of up to 2% (w/w) non-crystalline LOV in this optimal SSL-S formulation. Drug dissolution under non-digesting intestinal conditions revealed a three- to sixfold increase in dissolution efficiencies when compared to the unformulated drug and a LOV-lipid suspension. Furthermore, the SSL-S provided superior drug solubilization under simulated intestinal digesting condition in comparison with the drug-lipid suspension and drug-loaded silica. Therefore, solid lipid and nanoporous silica provides a synergistic effect on optimizing the solubilization of poorly water-soluble compound and the solid lipid-based porous carrier system provides a promising delivery approach to overcome the oral delivery challenges of poorly water-soluble drugs.     

Comparative interaction of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin with itraconazole: Phase-solubility behavior and stabilization of supersaturated drug solutions

Cyclodextrins can increase the apparent solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug candidates improving their biopharmaceutical performance. The current data assess the ability of hydrophilic cyclodextrins to solubilize compounds via stabilization of supersaturated drug solutions presumably by inhibition of nucleation and arresting crystal growth. To these points, the effects of 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPbetaCD) and sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (SBEbetaCD) on equilibrium solubility was assessed via phase-solubility analysis as were the interactions of these excipients on drug solubility under conditions favoring supersaturation. Phase-solubility analysis indicated that different profiles were generated as a function of the cyclodextrin examined and the pH of the complexing medium. When kinetic solubility measurements were completed, the cyclodextrins were found to stabilize concentrations of itraconazole significantly in excess of their equilibrium solubility when supersaturated solutions were formed using the co-solvent/solvent quench approach. These solutions were stable over 240 min falling in concentration at the 24 h time point of the experiment unlike those formed using surfactants and other polymers which demonstrated a rapid decrease in concentration over time. These data suggest that hydrophilic cyclodextrins might be useful formulation adjuncts in supersaturating drug delivery systems.     

Novel revaprazan-loaded gelatin microsphere with enhanced drug solubility and oral bioavailability

Abstract

To develop a novel revaprazan-loaded gelatine microsphere with enhanced solubility and oral bioavailability, numerous gelatine microspheres were prepared using a spray-drying technique. The impact of gelatine amount on drug solubility in the gelatine microspheres was investigated. The physicochemical properties of the selected gelatine microsphere, such as shape, particle size and crystallinity, were evaluated. Moreover, its dissolution and pharmacokinetics in rats were assessed in comparison with revaprazan powder. Amongst the gelatine microspheres tested, the gelatine microsphere consisting of revaprazan and gelatine (1:2, w/w), which gave about 150-fold increased solubility, had the most enhanced drug solubility. It provided a spherical shape, amorphous drug and reduced particle size. Furthermore, it gave a higher dissolution rate and plasma concentration than did revaprazan powder. Particularly, it gave about 2.3-fold improved oral bioavailability in comparison with revaprazan powder. Therefore, this novel gelatine microsphere system is recommended as an oral pharmaceutical product of poorly water-soluble revaprazan.     

Preparation and characterization of emulsified solid dispersions containing docetaxel

An emulsified solid dispersion of docetaxel was prepared and characterized in vitro. In contrast to conventional solid dispersions, emulsifying pharmaceutical excipients and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as a supersaturation promoter were introduced into the PEG6000-based solid dispersion to further improve its solubilizing capability. The solubility, dissolution in vitro and stability of the prepared emulsified solid dispersions were studied taking into consideration of the effects of different emulsifying excipients, preparation methods and the media. Results of the emulsified solid dispersion of docetaxel showed that the solubility and dissolution at 2 h were 34.2- and 12.7-fold higher than the crude powder. The type of emulsifying excipient used had a significant influence on the dissolution of the emulsified solid dispersion. The dissolution of the emulsified solid dispersion prepared by the solvent-melting method or the solvent method was higher than the melting method. There were no apparent differences among the dissolution media utilized. The status of the drug in the emulsified solid dispersion was observed in an amorphous or a molecular dispersion state by differential thermal analysis and powder Xray diffraction. In conclusion, the incorporation of emulsifying pharmaceutical excipients and HPMC with polymers into a solid dispersion could be a new and useful tool to greatly increase the solubility and dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs.     

Integration of In Silico Pharmacokinetic Modeling Approaches Into In Vitro Dissolution Profiles to Predict Bioavailability of a Poorly Soluble Compound

The objective of present study is to develop pharmacokinetic (PK) prediction methods using in silico PK model for oral immediate release drug products (i.e. solution, suspension, and amorphous solid dispersion). A poorly water soluble compound with low bioavailability in rat was used (CS-758 as a model compound). A constructed in silico PK model contained an advance compartmental absorption and transit model. For solution, the in silico PK model reproduced an observed rat plasma concentration (Cp)-time profile. In addition, an in vitro dissolution method was developed to predict a rat Cp-time profile for suspension. As a result, the in silico PK model could predict the observed one by using dissolution profiles as the input. Furthermore, a dissolution profile of amorphous solid dispersion was applied to verify the in silico PK model. A result indicated the simulated rat Cp-time profile was significantly comparable to the observed one. This study demonstrated that the integration of an in silico PK model into dissolution profiles can predict rat Cp-time profiles for suspension and amorphous solid dispersion. These results suggest that the integration of in silico PK modeling approaches into dissolution profiles can contribute to the formulation screening for poorly soluble compounds by predicting PK behaviors.     

Enhanced kinetic solubility profiles of indomethacin amorphous solid dispersions in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels

The feasibility of forming solid molecular dispersions of poorly water-soluble drugs in crosslinked poly(2-hydroethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogel has recently been reported by our group. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the extent of enhancement of kinetic solubility of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of indomethacin (IND) in crosslinked PHEMA hydrogels as compared with those based on conventional water-soluble polymer carriers. Our results show that under non-sink conditions, the initial solubility enhancement is higher for ASDs based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HMPCAS), but the ability to maintain this solubility enhancement at longer times is better for ASDs based on PHEMA over a period of 24h with the extent of solubility enhancement of IND ASDs in PHEMA falling between those in PVP and HPMCAS at 10.0% IND loading after 6h and outperforming those in PVP and HPMCAS at 32.9% IND loading after 8h. The observed kinetic solubility profiles reflect the fact that the amorphous IND is released from PHEMA by a different mechanism than those from water-soluble polymer carriers. In this case, the dissolution of IND ASD from water-soluble PVP and HPMCAS is almost instantaneous, resulting in an initial surge of IND concentration followed by a sharp decline due to the nucleation and crystallization events triggered by the rapid build-up of drug supersaturation. On the other hand, the dissolution of IND ASD from insoluble crosslinked PHEMA hydrogel beads is less rapid as it is regulated by a feedback-controlled diffusion mechanism, thus avoiding a sudden surge of supersaturation in the dissolution medium. The absence of an apparent decline in drug concentration during dissolution from IND-PHEMA ASD further reflects the diminished nucleation and crystallization events during IND dissolution from hydrogel-based solid molecular dispersions. Based on the XRD analyses, a threshold IND loading level of about 34% in PHEMA has been identified, above which amorphous to crystalline transition tends to occur. Also, by selecting the appropriate particle sizes, immediate to controlled release of IND from IND-PHEMA ASD can be readily achieved as the release rate increases with decreasing PHEMA bead size. Furthermore, a robust physical stability has been demonstrated in IND-PHEMA ASD with no drug precipitation for up to 8 months at IND loadings below 16.7% under direct open cup exposure to accelerated stability conditions (40°C/75% RH).     

Development and characterization of an orodispersible film containing drug nanoparticles

In this study, a novel orodispersible film (ODF) containing drug nanoparticles was developed with the goal of transforming drug nanosuspensions into a solid dosage form and enhancing oral bioavailability of drugs with poor water solubility. Nanosuspensions were prepared by high pressure homogenization and then transformed into ODF containing drug nanoparticles by mixing with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solution containing microcrystalline cellulose, low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose and PEG-400 followed by film casting and drying. Herpetrione, a novel and potent antiviral agent with poor water solubility that extracted from Herpetospermum caudigerum, was chosen as a model drug and studied systematically. The uniformity of dosage units of the preparation was acceptable according to the criteria of Japanese Pharmacopoeia 15. The ODF was disintegrated in water within 30 s with reconstituted nanosuspensions particle size of 280 ± 11 nm, which was similar to that of drug nanosuspensions, indicating a good redispersibility of the fast dissolving film. Result of X-ray diffraction showed that HPE in the ODF was in the amorphous state. In the in vitro dissolution test, the ODF containing HPE nanoparticles showed an increased dissolution velocity markedly. In the pharmacokinetics study in rats, compared to HPE coarse suspensions, the ODF containing HPE nanoparticles exhibited significant increase in AUC_0–24h, C_max and decrease in T_max, MRT. The result revealed that the ODF containing drug nanoparticles may provide a potential opportunity in transforming drug nanosuspensions into a solid dosage form as well as enhancing the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.