Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Dispersion of Nanomaterials in Aqueous Media: Towards Protocol Optimization
Published on: December 25, 2017
Dissolution properties of piroxicam powders and capsules as a function of particle size and the agglomeration of
E Swanepoel1, W Liebenberg, M M de Villiers
1Research Institute for Industrial Pharmacy, Potchefstroom University for CHE, South Africa.
Abstract:
The poor dissolution characteristics of relatively insoluble drugs have long been a problem to the pharmaceutical industry. An example is piroxicam, a highly potent anti-inflammatory agent. In many countries, a large number of generic piroxicam products are available to the prescriber. The aim of this study was to investigate the cause of the dissolution problems experienced by manufacturers of generic piroxicam capsules. Two raw material batches and the dissolution properties of several piroxicam capsules were studied. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) results showed that the two raw material samples were identical with respect to polymorphic modification. The particles of powder 1 were smaller than those of powder 2, but the dissolution of powder 1 was much slower than that of powder 2. The dissolution results for the capsules showed a marked difference among different brands, with capsule C not meeting the USP tolerance. Adding surfactant to the dissolution medium increased the dissolution of both powder 1 and capsule C. Failure of powder 1 or capsule C to meet USP dissolution criteria could result in differences in product efficacy, as well as in potential side effects. Such observations should be taken into account along with other relevant considerations when decisions regarding the generic substitution of oral piroxicam products are made.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Pharmaceutical Parameters
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug pKa, Lipophilicity and GI pH
A drug's pKa and the pH of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract play crucial roles in drug...
Drug Dissolution: Requirements and Profile Comparison
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence

