Original Article Preparation and Characterization of Celecoxib Dispersions in Soluplus®: Comparison of Spray Drying and Conventional Methods

The present study deals with characterization of dispersions of a poorly water-soluble drug, celecoxib (CLX) in polyvinyl caprolactame–polyvinyl acetate–polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Soluplus ® (SOL)) prepared by different techniques. Dispersions of CLX in SOL at different ratios (2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4 and 1:6) were prepared by spray drying, conventional solvent evaporation and melting methods. The solid states of samples were characterized using particle size measurements, optical and scanning electron microscopy, XRPD, DSC and FT-IR. The Gordon-Taylor equation was used to predict the Tg of samples and the possibility of interaction between CLX and SOL. The solubility and dissolution rate of all samples were determined. Stability of samples was studied at ambient conditions for a period of 12 months. DSC and XRPD analyses confirmed amorphous state of drug in samples. Surprisingly dispersions of CLX:SOL with the ratio of 2:1 and 1:1 showed slower dissolution rate than CLX while other samples showed higher dissolution rate. At 1:2 ratio the spray dried samples exhibited higher dissolution rate than corresponding samples prepared by other methods