Preparation and physical evaluation of microcapsules of hydrophilic drug-cyclodextrin complexes.

An emulsion-solvent evaporation method for preparation of microcapsules containing water-soluble 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin complex of a lipophilic water-insoluble drug, hydrocortisone, is described. The release of the drug from the microcapsules was determined in simulated gastric fluid. The drug release rate from the microcapsules could be controlled by addition of a plasticizer and it was sustained over extended time. Addition of solubilizing compounds to the dissolution medium did not affect the drug release rate.