Enhancement of the Solubility and Dissolution Rate of Telmisartan by Surface Solid Dispersions Employing Superdisintegrants, Hydrophilic Polymers and Combined Carriers

Telmisartan (Tel) is a potent antihypertensive drug with a very poor aqueous solubility, especially in pH ranging from 3 to 9 (i.e., biological fluids) that results in poor bioavailability. Our aim was to improve Tel solubility and dissolution rates without the need for expensive multistep procedures, and without inclusion of alkalinizers. This study adopted the use of surface solid dispersions (SSDs) employing superdisintegrants, hydrophilic polymers and combined carriers including a superdisintegrant with a hydrophilic polymer. Tel-SSDs were formulated using thesolvent evaporation method. Compatibility between Tel and different carriers was examined via FT-IR. Tel-SSDs were evaluated optically and thermally to reveal a complete loss of the crystalline nature of the drug. Both drug content and percentage yield were calculated to judge the efficiency of the preparation technique used. Saturation, aqueous solubility, and dissolutions rates were determined. Dissolution profiles were studied using model dependent and independent approaches and were subjected to the pair-wise procedure using the DDsolver software program. Effect of aging was studied by comparing the drug content and dissolution profiles of freshly prepared SSDs with aged samples. All Tel-SSDs showed acceptable physical properties. Tel-SSDs showed pertinent enhancement related to the carrier used. Combined surface solid dispersions employing superdisintegrant croscarmellose sodium with either hydrophilic polymer PEG 4000 or Poloxamer 407 gave remarkable enhancement in solubility and dissolution rates of Tel where more than 90% of the drug was released within 20 min. The effect of aging results proved a non-significant difference in the drug content and dissolution profiles between fresh and aged samples. Formulation of Tel SSDs using combined carriers proved to be effective in enhancing the aqueous solubility and dissolution rates of Tel, as well as showing good stability upon aging.