Spontaneous formation of drug-containing acrylic nanoparticles

Nanoparticles containing ibuprofen, indomethacin or propranolol were formed spontaneously after the addition of solutions of the drugs and acrylic polymers (Eudragit RS or RL 100) in the water-miscible solvents, acetone or ethanol, to water without sonication or microfluidization. The colloidal dispersions were stabilized by quaternary ammonium groups and did not require the addition of surfactants or polymeric stabilizers. The nanoparticles were compared to nanoparticles prepared either by a microfluidization-solvent evaporation method with a water-immiscible organic solvent, methylene chloride, or by a melt method with respect to particle size and redispersibility of freeze- or spray-dried samples. Nanoparticles prepared by microfluidization or the melt method were easily redispersed while Eudragit RS nanoparticles prepared by spontaneous emulsification were not redispersible. Flexible films were formed from the nanosuspensions after the addition of 15 per cent triethyl citrate, a water-soluble plasticizer. The release of propranolol from the films increased with increasing proportion of RL, but was independent of the order of mixing of the two polymers or nanosuspensions during film preparation. The drug release from indomethacin films was increased by adding water-soluble polymers to the nanosuspension.