EVALUATING THE BEST POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL AS SOLID DISPERSION CARRIER BY TAKING ETORICOXIB AS A MODEL DRUG

Objective: The main objective of the current research is focused in discovering the best polyethylene glycol (PEG) as solid dispersion carrier using etoricoxib (ECB) as a model drug. Methods: Varieties of PEG, namely PEG - 3350, PEG - 4000, PEG - 6000, PEG - 8000, and PEG - 20000, were evaluated as a carrier for making ECB solid dispersions. ECB:PEG was taken in the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:6. The solid dispersions were prepared by microwave fusion method and compressed using 8 station tablet compression machine. The fabricated solid dispersion tablets were tested for physicochemical characteristics and drug release rates. The release of ECB from the prepared solid dispersions was further analyzed kinetically using the first order and Hixson-Crowell’s plots. Results: All the solid dispersion batches were shown satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. ECB solid dispersion batches with PEG - 6000 showed good solubility in distilled water (up to 2.29±0.01 μg/ml) and in 0.1 N HCl (up to 2.18±0.01 μg/ml) when compared with ECB alone (0.21±0.01 μg/ml and 0.32±0.01 μg/ml). The prepared solid dispersions with PEG 6000 are shown good ECB release. Conclusion: Among PEG carriers, PEG - 6000 was found to be the best carrier for increasing the solubility and release rate of ECB form the solid dispersions compared to PEG - 3350, PEG - 4000, PEG - 8000, and PEG - 20000.