Abstract:
Treatment of tuberculosis makes great use of rifampicin. While Abiraterone Acetate is generally
used for the treatment of prostate cancer, Duloxetine Hydrochloride is advised for the treatment of
major depressive disorder. Still, the low water solubility of all these drugs affects their
bioavailability. Thus, this work sought to generate solid dispersions thereby enhancing the
solubility and hence the dissolution rate of Rifampicin, Duloxetine hydrochloride, and Abiraterone
Acetate. Soluplus® was used as a carrier to enhance solubility; phase solubility investigations
carried out in preliminary trials helped to ascertain the ratio. First investigations were carried out
to select the suitable solvent and techniques; thereafter, solid dispersions were developed. The
Physical characterization was done by DSC and FT-IR. DSC was performed to determine the
thermal characteristics of the drug and FT-IR was performed to determine the compatibility
between the drug and polymer. Melt and solvent evaporation techniques were used to produce the
solid dispersion. The batches had ratios ranging from 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. %Drug content, %yield,
solubility studies, and in-vitro dissolution studies were among the evaluation parameters
performed for the solid dispersion assessment. The batch showing good results was selected for
further investigation with XRD, DSC, and FT-IR methods. The best batches of all the drugs
(Rifampicin, Duloxetine HCL and Abiraterone Acetate) showed enhancement in the solubility and
dissolution rate.
