Preparation and dissolution behavior of ethenzamide solid dispersions using various sugars as dispersion carriers

Abstract

Ethenzamide (ETZ) solid dispersions were prepared using the sugars sucrose, maltose, galactose and mannitol as carriers by melting and rapid cooling with liquid nitrogen. The physical charareteristics of these solid dispersions were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and dissolution rate analyses. The dissolution rate of ETZ can be significantly increased by decreasing the crystallinity of ETZ in solid dispersions. The maximum dissolution rate was observed with solid dispersions containing sucrose, and X-ray diffraction analysis suggested that ETZ was present in a totally amorphous state. The physical stability of amorphous sugars in dispersions prepared by rapid cooling was also investigated. Solid dispersions made with amorphous sucrose were more stable than those with other sugars. These results indicated that amorphous sucrose is useful as a carrier for production of solid dispersions.