[The solubility of drugs in molten suppository bases]

Solubility of 18 drugs used in rectal therapy in molten suppository base, (Massa suppositoriorum 15, Pharmacopeia of the G.D.R. Rosupol U, 37 degrees C) is determined. Separation of drug-saturated base from drug cristals is carried out in an air-heated centrifuge followed by a partition step between petroleum ether and an aqueous medium and photometrical determination of drug concentration. The procedure leads to results with relative standard deviation of 2% (medium value of 18 drugs). The investigation gave solubility values in the range between 0.002% (theobromine) and 26% (lidocaine), whereas benzoate, phenobarbital sodium and procaine hydrochloride are completely insoluble. Sodium salicylate has an unexpected high solubility (0.48%). The solubility is temperature depended and thus the solubility enthalpy can be determined. Relations between structure and solubility are discussed for pyrazolin-5-ones and purines. A correlation between solubilities in the base and in aqueous buffer (phosphate, pH 7.4) does not exist in the series studied.