Solid Dispersion Techniques: A Review

Abstract

Solid dispersions have attracted significant interest as an efficient means of improving the dissolution rate and hence the bioavailability of a range of poorly water-soluble drugs. To improve dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs and thus enhancing their bioavailability, the dispersion of one or more active pharmaceutical ingredient in a carrier at solid state is used. So this process is known as solid dispersion. The one of the mainly challenging aspects in formulation development is solubility behavior of a drug. The number of poor water soluble compounds has very increased. Compared to conventional formulations such as tablets or capsules, solid dispersions prepared by various methods can be used which have numerous benefits over the above conventional dosage form. For the preparation of solid dispersions, few of the aspects are to be considered such as; selection of carrier and methods of physicochemical characterization. In this review, an emphasis is put on solubility, various types of solid dispersions, BCS classification, carriers, solid dispersion techniques, mechanism to enhance dissolution in solid dispersion, characterization, advantages, disadvantages and the use of the solid dispersions.