ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To improve the in vitro dissolution of nimesulide by preparing nimesulide solid dispersion with hot melt extrusion (HME) technology. METHODS: Using PVP-VA64, PVP K30 or PVA-PEG (Kollicoat IR) as hydrophilic carrier, nimesulide solid dispersion was prepared by hot melt extrusion and characterized by drug dissolution, DSC, XRD and FTIR. RESULTS: Nimesulide exhibited rapid in vitro dissolution from the solid dispersion using PVP-VA64 as carrier. The cumulative release rate was 81% in 10 min, much faster than its physical mixture (only 37% in 1 h). The results of DSC and FTIR showed that nimesulide was amorphously dispersed in the carrier. CONCLUSION: Hot melt extrusion technology is suitable for preparing nimesulide-PVP-VA64 solid dispersion, which can significantly increase drug dissolution.