Improvement of Dissolution Rate of Febuxostat Using Hybrid Technique of Spherical Crystallization and Solid Dispersion

Abstract

The present study was carried out with an aim to improve dissolution rate of febuxostat (FBX, BCSclass II) drug. Spherical agglomerates were prepared by hybrid technique of spherical crystallization and solid dispersion using different ratios of FBX and polymer (PVP K30, HPMC E3LV and chitosan). Drug excipient compatibility study was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Scanning electron microscopy was used for measurement of size of agglomerate. In vitro dissolution study of prepared spherical agglomerates was compared with untreated FBX and marketed formulation in phosphate buffer pH 6.8. The ratio of drug to polymer also affected the drug dissolution results. Drug excipient compatibility study showed no interaction between FBX and PVP K30 (1:5) polymer. The use of PVP K30 (1:5) resulted in partial amorphization and improved drug dissolution. Direct compression method can be adopted in manufacturing to simplify the validation efforts. The performance of the formulated product was superior to the marketed product in the in vitro dissolution test.