Abstract

The aim of this work is to enhance the dissolution of furosemide, a hydrophobic drug used in treating hypertension. Solid dispersion via lyophilisation was employed for this purpose. Sugar and oligosaccharide, trehalose and hydroxyl propyl-γ-cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CD), were used as carrier molecules. Complexation of drug molecules with cyclodextrins changes its physical properties, including solubility. Trehalose was selected as it is a hydrophilic molecule as well as it reduces the cellular oxidative stress. Binary solid dispersions at three weight ratios drug to sugar/oligosaccharide were prepared. Solid dispersions were compared with unprocessed drug molecules and the marketed product. Samples were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and In vitro drug dissolution. All lyophilized samples showed a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in furosemide dissolution in the aqueous dissolution medium. The study introduces furosemide/HP-γ-CD and furosemide/trehalose freeze dried composites as potential candidate powders to formulate for example fast disintegrating tablets.