Solvent Concentration Effect on Powder X-Ray Diffraction and Dissolution Profiles of Acyclovir-Nicotinamide Cocrystals

Objective : Acyclovir (ACV) is well-known antiviral agent that has absorption problem, mainly due to its poor solubility in water and oral bioavailability. To improve acyclovir physical properties, especially dissolution properties, acyclovirnicotinamide(NCT) cocrystal was formed. Methods : ACV-NCT cocrystal was prepared using slurry method using ethanol as solvent with different concentration. The ACV-NCT cocrystal from each sample groups was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and then dissolution properties evaluated. Results : Each ACV-NCT cocrystals prepared from slurry method with different ethanol concentrations have different PXRD profile. Dissolution analysis (ED15) showed that ACV-NCT cocrystallization using slurry methods with 10,0 ml/g as ethanol concentration significantly increase ED15 values compared to acyclovir and acyclovir-nicotinamide physical mixture (α=0,05). Conclusion : ACV-NCT cocrystal successfully formed using slurry method with 10,0 ml/g as optimal ethanol concentration.