In vitro evaluation of three commercial sustained-release papaverine hydrochloride products

Three commercial sustained-release papaverine hydrochloride products in the form of microencapsulated pellets were evaluated. Three different dissolution apparatuses were used: a continuous flow apparatus, the USP rotating basket apparatus, and a modified reciprocating basket apparatus. The frequency rate of the reciprocating basket apparatus could be varied from 0 to 31 strokes/min. Salicylic acid compacts were used as a standard to characterize each apparatus. A linear log--log correlation between dissolution rate and apparatus speed or flow rate was obtained. Release of papaverine hydrochloride from the commercial preparations was affected significantly by the pH of the dissolution media but not by the agitation intensity.