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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering CARS Microscopy Visualizes Pharmaceutical Tablets During Dissolution
Published on: July 4, 2014
Liquisolid pellets: A pharmaceutical technology strategy to improve the dissolution rate of ritonavir
Brenda De Espíndola1, André O'Reilly Beringhs2, Diva Sonaglio1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil.
Abstract:
Liquisolid pellets (LPs) prepared by extrusion-spheronization are promising delivery systems to improve the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, developing LPs for high dose drugs (e.g. antiretroviral ritonavir, RTV) is a major challenge due to technical and quality constraints. In this study, formulations LP1 and LP2 were obtained (RTV 100 mg/unit dose) using microcrystalline cellulose (carrier), Kollidon® CL-SF (coating and disintegrating material) and high load (30%, w/w) of Kolliphor® EL or PEG 400 (non-volatile solvent). LP1 and LP2 had narrow size distribution, good morphological properties, and excellent flowability. The partial conversion of RTV polymorph I to the less soluble form II occurred during the preparation of the liquid medications. LP1 (containing Kolliphor® EL) achieved 82.64 ± 2.17% of drug dissolved in 30 min (Q30min), compared with 53.14 ± 0.6% and 42.42 ± 2.09% for LP2 (containing PEG 400) and Norvir® tablets, respectively. Also, LP1 promoted 1.9-fold/1.7-fold and 8.19-fold/8.29-fold increases in Q30min/DE60min (dissolution efficiency) as compared to neat RTV polymorphs I and II, respectively.
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