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Flunarizine-Loaded Hydrogels: A Novel Formulation and Physicochemical Characterization
Camelia Daniela Ionaș1,2, Dorinel Okolišan1,2, Camelia Epuran1
1Research Centre for Thermal Analysis in Environmental Problems/ICAM-Advanced Environmental Research Institute, West University of Timisoara, Oituz Street 4, 300233 Timisoara, Romania.
Polymers
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Flunarizine is compatible with common pharmaceutical excipients, indicating its suitability for novel drug delivery systems. This research supports the development of stable flunarizine formulations using polymeric hydrogels.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Materials Science
Background:
- Flunarizine, a calcium channel blocker, faces formulation challenges due to poor aqueous solubility.
- This limitation impacts its stability and dispersion in polymer-based drug delivery systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the compatibility of flunarizine with various excipients.
- To evaluate the potential of polymeric hydrogels for flunarizine incorporation.
Main Methods:
- Binary mixtures of flunarizine with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, PEG 6000, Tween 20, gelatin, and citric acid were prepared.
- Characterization involved Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
- A validated RP-HPLC method was used for flunarizine quantification.
Main Results:
- FTIR and thermal analyses indicated no significant chemical interactions or incompatibilities between flunarizine and the excipients.
- Minor spectral variations suggested weak intermolecular interactions within the polymer network.
- The validated RP-HPLC method demonstrated high sensitivity (LOD: 0.05 µg/mL, LOQ: 0.16 µg/mL) and accuracy (average recovery 100%).
Conclusions:
- Flunarizine exhibits good compatibility with the selected excipients.
- The studied hydrogels are suitable matrices for developing flunarizine drug delivery systems.
