SOLUBILITY ENHANCEMENT OF ANTIVIRAL DRUGACYCLOVIR BY SOLID DISPERSION TECHNIQUE

The objective of present study was to improve the dissolution rate of Acyclovir. The major drawback of Acyclovir is its low aqueous solubility that delays its absorption and has poor oral bioavailability (15-30%). Solubility was increased by solid dispersion technique using a water soluble carrier, Kollidon VA64 (VA64), Soluplus (SOL) and Eudragit EPO (EPO). The solid dispersions were prepared by solvent evaporation method. The prepared solid dispersions showed an enhancement in dissolution rate and solubility compared to API. In vitro release profiles of all SDs were comparatively evaluated. Faster dissolution was exhibited by solid dispersion containing 1:4 ratio of drug: Eudragit EPO. The prepared solid dispersion was subjected for % practical yield, drug content, infrared (IR) spectroscopic, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). FT‐IR spectra and DSC revealed no chemical incompatibility between drug and polymer. The solid dispersion in drug: Eudragit EPO (1:4, w/w) was relatively stable at 40 °C/75% RH conditions for at least 3 month. Key words: Solid dispersions, carriers, solubility enhancement, poorly soluble drugs, bioavailability