Medicated straws based on electrospun solid dispersions

Abstract

Novel medicated straws were developed based on drug-loaded electrospun fibers prepared by direct current electrospinning (DCES) and high-speed electrospinning (HSES) of scaled-up productivity. Good quality micro- and nanofibers were electrospun using both techniques despite the multiple times higher throughput rate of HSES based on the scanning electron microscopic imaging (SEM). Solid state analyses revealed that the poorly soluble model drug carvedilol (CAR) was dispersed in an amorphous form in the electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPK30) fibers. In vitro dissolution studies revealed ultrafast drug release from the prepared fibrous formulations inserted into plastic straws. Based on the results the developed drug delivery system is suitable for storing the formulation in a solid dosage form and in situ turning it into liquid form when administered.