In vitro behavior of dronedarone hydrochloride loaded pellets using vacuum impregnation technique

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Materials Science

Background:

• Multiparticulate drug delivery systems offer advantages for controlled release.
• Microcrystalline cellulose pellets are versatile carriers.
• Novel drug loading techniques are needed for porous carriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop porous microcrystalline cellulose pellets using extrusion/spheronization.
• To investigate vacuum impregnation for loading dronedarone hydrochloride (DNR).
• To evaluate drug release control via polymer coating and dissolution media.

Main Methods:

• Extrusion/spheronization for pellet fabrication.
• Vacuum impregnation for DNR loading.
• Spray coating with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC).
• In vitro dissolution testing in biorelevant media.

Main Results:

• DNR particle size impacts drug incorporation and release.
• HPMC coating significantly retards drug release.
• Release profiles are dependent on the dissolution medium.
• Vacuum impregnation effectively loaded DNR onto and into pellets.

Conclusions:

• Vacuum impregnation is a promising technique for loading DNR onto porous pellets.
• Controlled drug release can be achieved through formulation and coating.
• Pellet characteristics and dissolution media influence DNR release.