Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Solubility of Hydrophobic Compounds in Aqueous Solution Using Combinations of Self-assembling Peptide and Amino Acid
Published on: September 20, 2017
Pharmaceutical cocrystals and poorly soluble drugs
Ranjit Thakuria1, Amit Delori, William Jones
1Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
Pharmaceutical cocrystal formation enhances solubility and bioavailability for poorly soluble drugs. Crystal engineering principles guide coformer selection for improved drug delivery and stability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Poorly soluble drugs present significant challenges in pharmaceutical development, limiting their therapeutic efficacy.
- Cocrystal formation has gained traction as a strategy to overcome these solubility and bioavailability limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the success of pharmaceutical cocrystals in improving solubility and dissolution rates of poorly soluble drugs.
- To elucidate the role of crystal engineering in selecting coformers and understanding supramolecular synthons.
- To summarize current knowledge on cocrystal structure-solubility relationships and thermodynamic stability.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing pharmaceutical cocrystal studies.
- Analysis of crystal engineering principles applied to coformer selection.
- Examination of supramolecular synthon characteristics in cocrystal structures.
Main Results:
- Numerous examples demonstrate improved solubility and dissolution rates of poorly soluble drugs via cocrystal formation.
- Evidence of enhanced animal pharmacokinetic data is presented for several cocrystal systems.
- Key factors influencing cocrystal thermodynamic stability and solubility are identified.
Conclusions:
- Cocrystal formation is a proven strategy for enhancing the performance of poorly soluble drugs.
- Crystal engineering provides a rational basis for designing effective cocrystals.
- Understanding structure-property relationships is crucial for optimizing cocrystal design.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Drug Dissolution
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Physicochemical Parameters
Enhanced drug absorption can be achieved by reducing particle sizes and increasing surface areas, thereby facilitating...
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Pharmaceutical Parameters
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry
