Enhanced release of solid dispersions of etodolac in polyethylene glycol

This work examines the release of etodolac from various molecular weight fractions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solid dispersions. Solid dispersions of etodolac were prepared in different molar ratios of drug/carrier by using solvent and melting methods. The release rate of etodolac from the resulting complexes was determined from dissolution studies by use of USP dissolution apparatus 2 (paddle method). The physical state and drug:PEG interaction of solid dispersions and physical mixtures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dissolution rate of etodolac is increased in all of the solid dispersion systems compared to that of the pure drug and physical mixtures. The solid dispersion compound prepared in the molar ratio of 1:5 by the solvent method was found to have the fastest dissolution profile. The physical properties did not change after 9 months storage in normal conditions.