Ceftriaxone Absorption Enhancement for Noninvasive Administration as an Alternative to Injectable Solutions.

Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of infant mortality in developing countries because of delayed injectable treatment, making it urgent to develop noninjectable formulations that can reduce treatment delays in resource-limited settings. Ceftriaxone, available only for injection, needs absorption enhancers to achieve adequate bioavailability via nonparenteral administration. This article presents all available data on the nonparenteral absorption of ceftriaxone in humans and animals, including unpublished work carried out by F. Hoffmann-La Roche (Roche) in the 1980s and new data from preclinical studies with rabbits, and discusses the importance of these data for the development of noninjectable formulations for noninvasive treatment. The combined results indicate that the rectal absorption of ceftriaxone is feasible and likely to lead to a bioavailable formulation that can reduce treatment delays in neonatal sepsis. A bile salt, chenodeoxycholate sodium salt (Na-CDC), used as an absorption enhancer at a 125-mg dose, together with a 500-mg dose of ceftriaxone provided 24% rectal absorption of ceftriaxone and a maximal plasma concentration of 21 µg/ml with good tolerance in human subjects. The rabbit model developed can also be used to screen for the bioavailability of other formulations before assessment in humans.

Supersolubilization and amorphization of a model basic drug, haloperidol, by interaction with weak acids.

PURPOSE: To present a novel approach of greatly enhancing aqueous solubility of a model weakly basic drug, haloperidol, by using weak acids that would not form salts with the drug and to attain physically stable form of amorphous drug by drying such aqueous solutions. METHOD: Aqueous solubility of haloperidol in presence of increasing concentrations of four different weak organic acids (malic, tartaric, citric, fumaric) were determined. Several concentrated aqueous solutions with differing drug-to-acid molar ratios were dried in vacuum oven, and dried materials were characterized by DSC, powder XRD, dissolution testing, and stability study. RESULT: Acids were selected such that they would not form salts with haloperidol. Haloperidol solubility increased greatly with increased concentrations of malic, tartaric and citric acids, reaching >300 mg/g of solution. In contrast to the haloperidol HCl aqueous solubility of 4 mg/g, this may be called supersolubilization. Fumaric acid did not cause such solubilization as it had low water solubility. Dried solids formed dispersions of amorphous haloperidol in acids that were either amorphous or partially crystalline. Amorphous haloperidol was physically stable and had better dissolution rate than HCl salt. CONCLUSION: A novel method of drug solubilization in aqueous media by acid-base interaction is presented. Physically stable amorphous systems of drugs may also be prepared by using this organic solvent-free approach.

A method to predict the equilibrium solubility of drugs in solid polymers near room temperature using thermal analysis.

A method is presented for determining the equilibrium solubility of a drug in a solid polymer at or near room temperature, which represents a typical storage temperature. The method is based on a thermodynamic model to calculate the Gibbs energy change ΔG(SS) associated with forming a binary drug-polymer solid solution from the unmixed polymer and solid drug. The model includes contributions from heat capacity differences between the solid solution and the corresponding unmixed components, breaking up of the solid drug structure, and drug-polymer mixing. Calculation of ΔG(SS) from thermal analysis data is demonstrated, and it is shown that minima of plots of ΔG(SS) versus the dissolved drug concentration represent the equilibrium drug solubility in the polymer. Solid solutions were produced for drug-polymer systems (griseofulvin, indomethacin, itraconazole; PVP K30, Eudragit L100, Eudragit E100) in drug weight fractions up to ∼25%. At 25°C, it was seen that heat capacity effects were important in determining the drug solubility. It was concluded that drug solubilities in solid polymers can be determined using thermal analysis, and must include heat capacity effects when evaluated near room temperature.

Influence of an acrylic polymer blend on the physical stability of film-coated theophylline pellets.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical stability of a coating system consisting of a blend of two sustained release acrylic polymers and its influence on the drug release rate of theophylline from coated pellets. The properties of both free films and theophylline pellets coated with the polymer blend were investigated, and the miscibility was determined via differential scanning calorimetry. Eudragit RS 30 D was plasticized by the addition of Eudragit NE 30 D, and the predicted glass transition temperature (T(g)) of the blend was similar to the experimental values. Sprayed films composed of a blend of Eudragit NE 30 D/Eudragit RS 30 D (1:1) showed a water vapor permeability six times greater than films containing only Eudragit NE 30 D. The presence of quaternary ammonium functional groups from the RS 30 D polymer increased the swellability of the films. The films prepared from the blend exhibited stable permeability values when stored for 1 month at both 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C, while the films which were composed of only Eudragit NE 30 D showed a statistically significant decrease in this parameter when stored under the same conditions. Eudragit NE 30 D/Eudragit RS 30 D (1:1)-sprayed films decreased in elongation from 180% to 40% after storage at 40 degrees C for 1 month, while those stored at 25 degrees C showed no change in elongation. In coated pellets, the addition of Eudragit RS 30 D to the Eudragit NE 30 D increased the theophylline release rate, and the pellets were stable when stored at 25 degrees C for a period of up to 3 months due to maintenance of the physico-mechanical properties of the film. Pellets stored at 40 degrees C exhibited a decrease in drug release rate over time as a result of changes in film physico-mechanical properties which were attributed to further coalescence and densification of the polymer. When the storage temperature was above the T(g) of the composite, instabilities in both drug release rate and physical properties were evident. Stabilization in drug release rate from coated pellets could be correlated with the physico-mechanical stability of the film formulation when stored at temperatures below the T(g) of the polymer.

Affinity purification and characterization of an anti-PEG IgM.

Anti-PEG IgM was purified by affinity chromatography using variable length PEG chains (5, 10, 20 and 30 kDa) as affinity ligands. Maximal binding of anti-PEG IgM was observed using the 30 kDa PEG-derivatized NuGel (single passage). Purified anti-PEG IgM was characterized for binding to PEG functionalized proteins/peptides by surface plasmon resonance, western blotting and ELISA. Anti-PEG IgM, in solution and adsorbed on 20 kDa PEG-derivatized NuGel, was subjected to pepsin digestion followed by affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE analysis of eluates in both preparations yielded one fragment that was similar in size. However, an additional lower molecular weight band was observed in solution-digested affinity purified material that was not present in the eluate from the material subjected to pepsin digestion on the affinity matrix. The lower MW fragment could be eluted under milder conditions, suggesting loss of binding multiplicity. Analysis by mass spectrometry yielded molecular weights of 132 kDa (both) and 82 kDa (solution) for the respective fragments. N-terminal sequencing of both fragments resulted in primary sequences (heavy and light chains) that were not only identical to each other but also to those of native IgM. The anti-PEG IgM fragments were characterized for binding to pegylated interferon alfa-2a by ELISA. The results from these studies suggest that affinity purified anti-PEG IgM and fragments can be used as probes in detection assays for PEG functionalized biotherapeutics in pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Citric acid monohydrate as a release-modifying agent in melt extruded matrix tablets.

Incomplete drug release and particle size-dependent dissolution performance can compromise the quality of controlled release matrix systems. The objective of the current study was to investigate the ability of citric acid monohydrate (CA MH) to enhance the release of diltiazem hydrochloride from melt extruded Eudragit RS PO tablets and to eliminate drug particle size effects. Preformulation studies demonstrated the thermal stability of all components, drug insolubility in the polymer but miscibility with the CA MH. Tablets with either constant polymer levels or constant drug-to-polymer ratios and containing different drug particle size fractions and increasing amounts of CA MH were manufactured by melt extrusion and characterized by dissolution testing, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The addition of CA MH to the formulation promoted the thermal processibility and matrix integrity by plasticization of the polymer. The drug release from systems with constant drug-to-polymer ratio was significantly increased when CA MH was added as a result of enhanced pore formation. Particle size effects were eliminated when large amounts of CA MH were used due to the loss of drug crystallinity. Matrix tablets with CA MH furthermore showed a faster and more complete drug release compared to systems with drug only or alternative pore formers (sucrose, NaCl, or PEG 3350). The enhanced drug release was attributed to the amorphous character of the soluble components, improved drug dispersion in the plasticized polymer along with increased polymer permeability. In summary, CA MH promoted the miscibility between the drug and Eudragit RS PO during hot-melt extrusion, resulting in the extrusion of an amorphous system with improved dissolution characteristics.

Influence of fumed silicon dioxide on the stabilization of Eudragit RS/RL 30 D film-coated theophylline pellets.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of various grades of fumed silicon dioxide on the drug release rate and physical aging of theophylline pellets coated with Eudragit RS 30 D and RL 30 D. Free films were assessed for both physicomechanical properties and water vapor permeability with respect to time and storage conditions. The release rate of theophylline was influenced by the physical properties of the silicon dioxide employed. As the particle size of the silica dioxide decreased, there was an increase in dispersion viscosity, as well as a decrease in the theophylline release rate from the coated pellets. Films prepared from formulas containing Aeroperl 300 had twice the water vapor transmission rate of films prepared from formulas containing Aerosil 200 VV and Cab-O-Sil M-5P and showed consistent moisture permeability values during storage for up to 1 month at 25 degrees C/0% relative humidity (RH). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of pellets coated with a formulation containing Aerosil 200 VV or Cab-O-Sil M-5P demonstrated film structures that were homogenous, while those coated with a formulation containing Aeroperl 300 produced heterogeneous films with large particles of the excipient present within the polymeric matrix of the film. Stability in the drug release rate exhibited by pellets coated with a formulation containing Eudragit RS 30 D, 15% triethyl citrate (TEC), and 30% Aeroperl 300 was attributed to the stabilization of the moisture vapor transmission rate of the acrylic films. Increasing the concentration of Aeroperl 300 in the coating formulation increased the theophylline release rate from coated pellets.

Citric acid as a solid-state plasticizer for Eudragit RS PO.

The use of solid-state plasticizers for the hot-melt extrusion of pharmaceutical dosage forms has been shown to be beneficial compared with liquid plasticizers. The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of citric acid (CA) as a solid plasticizer for the preparation of Eudragit RS PO extended-release matrix systems by a melt extrusion technique. The influence of increasing levels of CA monohydrate (CA MH) or anhydrous CA in the powder blend on the extrusion process parameters (screw speed and motor load) was determined as a function of temperature. The solubility of CA MH in extruded tablets was studied by means of modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Films were cast from organic solutions to demonstrate the plasticizing effect of CA MH as a change in physico-mechanical properties (tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation). The CA release from extruded tablets was studied over 12 h. The monohydrate form was found to distinctly facilitate the extrusion of Eudragit RS PO, whereas the addition of anhydrous CA to the polymer powder was less effective. This divergent behaviour in plasticization of Eudragit RS PO was attributed to the higher solubility of the monohydrate in the acrylic polymer. The plasticizing effect of the CA MH reached a plateau at 25% during hot-melt extrusion, which coincided with the solubility limit of the organic acid in the polymer as shown by MDSC and PXRD results. The CA MH increased the flexibility of Eudragit RS PO films, as demonstrated by a decrease in tensile strength and elastic modulus and an increase in elongation as a function of CA MH concentration. The dissolution of CA from the matrix tablets followed an extended-release profile, with CA MH exhibiting a faster dissolution rate than the anhydrous form. In conclusion, CA MH was found to be an effective plasticizer for Eudragit RS PO that facilitates the production of controlled-release matrix systems by hot-melt extrusion.

Use of proteins to minimize the physical aging of EUDRAGIT sustained release films.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of two proteins, albumin and type B gelatin, on the physical aging of EUDRAGIT RS 30 D and RL 30 D coated theophylline pellets. The physicomechanical properties of sprayed films, thermal properties of cast films, influence of proteins on the zeta potential and particle size of the dispersion, and the release of proteins from cast films under simulated dissolution conditions were investigated. The release rate of theophylline decreased significantly over time from pellets coated with an acrylic dispersion containing 10% albumin when there was no acidification of the acrylic dispersion; however, when pellets were coated with an acidified EUDRAGIT/albumin dispersion, the theophylline release rate was stable for dosage forms stored in the absence of humidity. The drug release rate was faster for pellets coated with acrylic dispersions containing 10% gelatin compared to the albumin-containing formulations. When sprayed films were stored at 40 degrees C/75% RH, the water vapor permeability decreased significantly for both EUDRAGIT films and those containing EUDRAGIT and albumin; however, there was no significant change in this parameter when 10% gelatin was present. Albumin was released from the acrylic films when the pH of the dissolution media was below the isoelectric point of the protein while no quantitative release of gelatin was observed in pH 1.2 or 7.4 media. The effect of gelatin to prevent the decrease in drug release rate was due to stabilization in water vapor permeability of the film. Acidification of the polymeric dispersion resulted in electrostatic repulsive forces between albumin and the acrylic polymer, which stabilized the drug release rate when the dosage forms were stored in aluminum induction sealed containers at both 40 degrees C/75% RH and 25 degrees C/60% RH.

Effect of formulation and processing variables on the granulation kinetics of hot melt granulation (HMG) process.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of formulation factors, such as type of drug and particulate properties of a drug, and processing variables, i.e. jacket temperature, impeller speed, and scale, on granulation kinetics the of hot-melt granulation (HMG) process. Two model active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) Ro-A and indomethacin were selected for this evaluation using poloxamer 188 as a meltable binder. The effect of solid-state properties of API was investigated for Ro-A, whereas the binder properties were maintained constant. General factorial design was used to investigate the effect of independent process variables, impeller speed and jacket temperature using impeller motor power consumption as response variable. Consistent granulation could be developed for Ro-A by optimizing the binder level and impeller speed, however, the addition of third excipient was necessary for indomethacin. The granulation rate was related to the bulk density and the surface area of the drug. The jacket temperature affected overall granulation time but had no significant effect on the granulation kinetics, suggesting that faster heating rate is desirable for optimal productivity. A significant increase in the granulation rate was observed with increase in impeller speed. The effect of impeller speed was further confirmed at 5 L and 25 L scale. From the formulation prospective, the critical factors were the level of binder, inherent binding properties of the API, the solid-state properties of API and binder. From processing perspectives, the impeller speed had a significant effect on the granulation kinetics.

Lipophilic prodrugs of Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin for nanoencapsulation in poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) micelles.

A solvent and Cremephor free formulation of the anticancer chemotherapeutic geldanamycin was prepared using amphiphilic block co-polymer micelles of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PCL). Although geldanamycin was not solubilized by PEG-b-PCL micelles, fatty acid prodrugs of geldanamycin were encapsulated in PEG-b-PCL micelles by a co-solvent extraction technique. Resulting PEG-b-PCL micelles were <120 nm in diameter and solubilized >20% w/w geldanamycin prodrugs increasing aqueous solubility to >2 mg/mL. PEG-b-PCL micelles released the geldanamycin prodrugs over several days, t(1/2) 2.2 to 9.6 days. The free prodrugs hydrolyzed rapidly, t(1/2)<6 h, into the geldanamycin analogue 17-beta-hydroxyethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, which has high activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, IC(50) 240 nM.

Controlled release of a poorly water-soluble drug from hot-melt extrudates containing acrylic polymers.

Controlled release tablets containing a poorly water-soluble drug, indomethacin (IDM), acrylic polymers (Eudragit RD 100, Eudragit L 100, or Eudragit S 100), and triethyl citrate (TEC) were prepared by hot-melt extrusion. The physicochemical and IDM release properties of the controlled release hot-melt extrudates were investigated. Indomethacin (IDM) was found to be both thermally and chemically stable following hot-melt extrusion processing and displayed a plasticizing effect on Eudragit RL PO as demonstrated by a decrease in the glass transition temperatures of the polymer. The inclusion of either Pluronic F68, Eudragit L 100, or Eudragit S 100 in the powder blend containing Eudragit RD 100 prior to processing increased the rate of release of the IDM from the extrudates. An increase in the media pH and a decrease in the granule particle size also increased the rate of release of IDM. The inclusion of TEC up to 8% in the granule formulation or compressing the granules into tablets had no significant effect on the drug release rate. Indomethacin (IDM) was transformed from a crystalline Form I into an amorphous form in the Eudragit RD 100 granules following hot-melt extrusion. The thermal processing facilitated the formation of a solid solution with a continuous matrix structure that was shown to control drug diffusion from the extrudates.

In vitro release of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin from poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) micelles.

An injectable formulation of rapamycin was prepared using amphiphilic block co-polymer micelles of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PEG-PCL). Drug-loaded PEG-PCL micelles were prepared by a co-solvent extraction technique. Resulting PEG-PCL micelles were less than 100 nm in diameter and contained rapamycin at 7% to 10% weight and >1 mg/mL. PEG-PCL micelles released rapamycin over several days, t50% 31 h, with no burst release; however, physiological concentrations of serum albumin increased the release rate 3-fold. Alpha-tocopherol, vitamin E, was co-incorporated into PEG-PCL micelles and increased the efficiency of rapamycin encapsulation. The addition of alpha-tocopherol also slowed the release of rapamycin from PEG-PCL micelles in the presence of serum albumin, t50% 39 h.

Characterization of physico-mechanical properties of indomethacin and polymers to assess their suitability for hot-melt extrusion processs as a means to manufacture solid dispersion/solution.

The objective of the study was to characterize the physical and viscoelastic properties of binary mixtures of drug and selected polymers to assess their suitability for use in the hot-melt extrusion (HME) process as a means to improve solubility by manufacturing either solid dispersion or solid solution. Indomethacin (INM) was selected as a model drug. Based on comparable solubility parameters, the selected polymers were Eudragit EPO (EPO), polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer (PVP-VA), polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVPK30), and poloxamer 188 (P188). The various drug and polymer systems were characterized for thermal and rheological properties as a function of drug concentration to provide an insight into miscibility and processibility of these systems. From the thermal analysis studies, a single T(g) was observed for the binary mixtures of INM/EPO, INM/PVP-VA, and INM/PVPK30, indicating miscibility of drug and polymer in the given ratios. In the case of mixtures of INM/P188, two melting endotherms were observed with decreasing drug melting point as a function of polymer concentration indicating partial miscibility of drug in polymer. As part of the rheological evaluation, zero rate viscosity (eta(o)) and activation energy (E(a)) was determined for the various systems using torque rheometer at varying shear rates and temperatures. The eta(o) for binary mixtures of drug and EPO, PVP-VA and PVPK30 were found to be significantly lower as compared to pure polymer, indicating disruption of the polymer structure due to miscibility of the drug. On the other hand, INM/P188 mixtures showed a higher eta(o) compared to pure polymer indicating partial miscibility of drug and polymer. With respect to E(a), the mixtures of INM/EPO showed an increase in E(a) with increasing drug concentration, suggesting antiplasticization effect of the drug. These findings corroborate the thermal analysis results showing increase T(g) for the various binary mixtures. The mixtures of INM/PVP-VA showed a decrease in the E(a) with the increasing drug concentration suggesting a plasticization effect of the drug. The understanding of thermal and rheological properties of the various drug/polymer mixtures help established the processing conditions for hotmelt extrusion (such as extrusion temperatures and motor load) as well as provided insight into the properties of the final extrudates. Using the actual hot-melt processing, a model was developed correlating the zero rate viscosity to the motor load determined by rheological evaluation.

Properties of hot-melt extruded tablet formulations for the colonic delivery of 5-aminosalicylic acid.

Hot-melt extruded tablets were prepared using Eudragit S 100 as the polymeric carrier to target delivery of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) to the colon. Scanning electron microscopy, modulated differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analysis of the hot-melt tablet extrudates demonstrated that 5-ASA remained crystalline and was homogeneously dispersed throughout the polymer matrix. A pre-plasticization step was necessary when incorporating triethyl citrate (TEC) into the formulation in order to achieve uniform mixing of the polymer and plasticizer, effectively reduce the polymer glass transition temperature (T(g)), and to lower the processing temperatures. The concentration of TEC in the extrudates not only influenced the processing temperature, but also influenced the drug release rates from the extruded tablets due to leaching of the TEC during dissolution testing. Citric acid monohydrate was found to plasticize Eudragit S 100, and when combined with TEC in the powder blend, the temperatures required for processing were reduced. Tablets containing citric acid released drug at a slower rate as a result of the suppression of polymer ionization due to a decrease in the micro-environmental pH of the tablet. The drug release profiles of the extruded tablets were found to fit both diffusion and surface erosion models.

Influence of thermal processing on the properties of chlorpheniramine maleate tablets containing an acrylic polymer.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of thermal processing and post-processing thermal treatment on the release properties of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) from matrix tablets containing Eudragit RS PO and triethyl citrate (TEC). CPM tablets containing Eudragit RS PO with and without TEC were prepared by direct compression (DC), high shear hot-melt granulation (HMG), and hot-melt extrusion (HME). X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the CPM was distributed in Eudragit RS PO at the molecular level following HME. The thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) profiles of CPM, Eudragit RS PO, and TEC demonstrated that these materials were thermally stable during both the high shear HMG and HME processes. The tablets were subjected to post-processing thermal treatment by storing the tablets at 60 degrees C in open containers for 24 hr. Tablets prepared by DC showed the highest drug release rate constant of 36.2% hr-1/2. When 4% TEC was incorporated into the formulation, the drug release rate constant for the directly compressed tablets decreased to 32.4% hr-1/2. After high shear HMG and HME of the powder blend containing 4% TEC, the drug release rate constant decreased to 30.8 and 13.8% hr-1/2 for the respective processes. The drug release rate constants for all tablets decreased following post-processing thermal treatment. The reduction in release rate was due to an increase in the intermolecular binding and entanglement between drug molecules and polymer molecules that occurred during thermal processing. Post-processing thermal treatment of the hot-melt extrudates had a minimal effect on the drug release rate since the HME process enhanced the drug and polymer entanglement to a greater extent.

Solid-state plasticization of an acrylic polymer with chlorpheniramine maleate and triethyl citrate.

The influence of in situ plasticization of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) on Eudragit RS PO from hot-melt extruded matrix tablets, and from compressed granules prepared by thermal processing was investigated. CPM was studied as both a model drug substance and as a solid-state plasticizer for the acrylic polymer. Triethyl citrate (TEC) was incorporated into the polymer blend as a liquid plasticizer for the polymer. The influence of TEC and CPM concentration on the dissolution properties of CPM tablets was investigated. The glass transition temperature (T(g)) of the samples was determined by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). The morphologies of the granules formed by hot-melt extrusion and hot-melt granulation processes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The addition of 12% TEC to the polymer reduced the T(g) by 32.5 degrees C, while the reduction in the T(g) for the same level of CPM was 16.4 degrees C. The effect of TEC levels on drug release was dependent on the tablet preparation method. At high TEC levels, the release rate of CPM decreased in tablets prepared by direct compression and tablets made from compressed granules that had been prepared by high shear hot-melt granulation. However, the CPM release rate increased from hot-melt extruded tablets with increasing blends of plasticizer in the extruded tablets. An increase in the CPM content in the tablets resulted in an increase in the drug release rate. During high shear hot-melt granulation, the model drug adhered to the polymer to form a porous discontinuous structure. Following hot-melt extrusion, the drug was distributed at a molecular level in the continuous polymeric structure. The influence of both CPM and TEC levels on the drug release rate from these polymeric drug delivery systems was shown to be a function of whether the granules or tablets were formed by either hot-melt granulation or hot-melt extrusion, as well as the plasticization effects of both TEC and CPM on the acrylic polymer.

Multi-unit controlled release systems of nifedipine and nifedipine:pluronic F-68 solid dispersions: characterization of release mechanisms.

Nifedipine (N) and nifedipine. Pluronic F-68 solid dispersion (SD) pellets were developed and characterizedfor drug release mechanisms from a multi-unit erosion matrix system for controlled release. Nifedipine was micronized using a jet mill. Solid dispersion with Pluronic F-68 was prepared by the fusion method. Nifedipine and SD were characterized by particle size analysis, solubility, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. Samples were subsequently processed into matrix pellets by extrusion/spheronization using Eudragit L 100-55 and Eudragit S 100 as release rate-controlling polymers. Drug release mechanisms from pellets were characterized by microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry; DSC and XRD studies indicated no polymorphic changes in N after micronization and also confirmed the formation of SD of N with Pluronic F-68. Pellets of N showed a 24-hr drug release profile following zero-order kinetics. Pellets of SD showed a 12-hr release profile followingfirst-order kinetics. Aqueous solubility of N after SD formation was found to be increased 10-fold. Due to increased solubility of N in SD, the drug release mechanism from the multi-unit erosion matrix changed from pure surface erosion to an erosion/diffusion mechanism, thereby altering the release rate and kinetics.