Effect of certain adjuvants on the mass transfer of diclofenac sodium from suppositories

ABSTRACT

In this investigation, suppositories containing 100 mg of diclofenac sodium were prepared by fusion method. The bases tested were Witepsol H15 and carbowax base [mixture of PEG 6000, 1540 and 400 in a ratio of 4 3 3]. Drug was incorporated either untreated, as a solid dispersion or a physical mixture with selected carriers. The carriers selected were surfactants viz sodium and magnesium stearates, in addition to stearic acid. The prepared solid dispersions were evaluated by various instrumental methods as IR analysis, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, in addition to determination of partition behavior. The formulated suppositories were tested for physicochemical characteristics, such as weight variation, uniformity of content, hardness, softening and melting points, in addition to kinetics of drug release. Certain selected formulations were evaluated in vivo in human volunteers