IMPROVEMENT OF WATER SOLUBILITY AND DISSOLUTION OF ATORVASTATIN

The aim of this study was to increase the solubility and dissolution of atorvastatin by complexing it with b-cyclodextrin. The solubility of atorvastatin increased with both increasing pH and b-CD-concentration. Solid complexes prepared by physical mixing, kneading, co-precipitation and freeze-drying methods were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In vitro studies showed that the solubility and dissolution rate of Atorvastatin were significantly improved by Complexation with B-cyclodextrin with respect to the drug alone. In contrast, freeze-dried complexes showed higher dissolution rate than the other complexes. Tablets of atorvastatin were prepared and it showed a high solubility. Keywords: Inclusion complex; atorvastatin; cyclodextrin; Solubility; Dissolution properties