Preparation and characterization of etoricoxib solid dispersions using lipid carriers by spray drying technique

The basic objectives of this study were to prepare and characterize solid dispersions of poorly water-soluble drug etoricoxib using lipid carriers by spray drying technique. The properties of solid dispersions were studied by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot-stage microscopy (HSM), radiograph powder diffraction (XRPD), and dissolution studies. The absence of etoricoxib peaks in XRPD profiles of solid dispersions suggests the transformation of crystalline etoricoxib into an amorphous form. In the HSM examination of solid dispersions, the dissolution of drug in the lipid carriers was observed, which was also confirmed by the absence of etoricoxib peak in DSC curves of solid dispersions. The DRIFTS spectra revealed the presence of hydrogen bonding in solid dispersions. The in vitro dissolution test showed a significant increase in the dissolution rate of solid dispersions as compared with pure etoricoxib, spray-dried etoricoxib, and physical mixtures of drug with lipid carriers. Therefore, the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug etoricoxib can be significantly enhanced by the preparation of solid dispersions using lipid carriers by spray drying technique.