Preparation and characterization of cefuroxime axetil solid dispersions using poloxamer 188

ABSTRACT

The main objective of the present work was to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug cefuroxime axetil (CA) by formulating it into solid dispersions (SDs) with water soluble carrier poloxamer 188. Different methods were employed to prepare the dispersion, such as Solvent method (SM), Kneading method (KM), Melt evaporation method (MEM) and Physical mixture (PM) in different drug carrier ratios 11, 12 and 13 (cefuroxime axetil poloxamer 188). The physical mixture(s) and solid dispersion(s) were characterized for drug carrier interaction, drug content, solubility, dissolution rate, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and FT-IR study. The dissolution rate of the prepared solid dispersion systems was determined in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) for 1 h. The solubility of drug from different systems was also determined in water. All SD formulations were found to have a higher dissolution rate comparatively to pure CA. The dissolution rate was enhanced in the following order SM > MEM > KM. The enhancement of dissolution rate may be caused by increase wettability, dispersibillity reduction in particle size or the formation of CA ß crystalline. The FT-IR study probability revealed that there was no chemical interaction between drug and poloxamer 188