Improved Release of Celecoxib from High Drug Loading Amorphous Solid Dispersions Formulated with Polyacrylic Acid and Cellulose Derivatives

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) have been extensively exploited as a strategy for improving the dissolution performance of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, factors underpinning the observed dissolution profiles are not clearly understood, and the choice of polymeric carriers is largely empirical. In the current study, the dissolution performance of a high drug loading ASD containing the poorly water-soluble, anti-inflammatory agent, celecoxib, was optimized by using binary polymers combinations. Polyacrylic acid (PAA), a highly water-soluble polymer, was used to substantially increase the dissolution rate of the drug, while hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) or HPMC acetate succinate (HPMCAS) were added to stabilize the solid amorphous matrix against crystallization upon hydration, as well as to maintain supersaturation. Quantitative measurements of the impact of the polymers on the solution nucleation and growth rates of celecoxib revealed that, while the cellulose derivatives are effective nucleation inhibitors, it is more difficult to completely prevent crystal growth in solutions containing seed crystals, in particular at high supersaturations. Therefore, it is critical to prevent the formation of crystals in the dissolving matrix during dissolution. By using certain ratios of HPMC and PAA, both rapid release as well as crystallization inhibition could be achieved, even at high drug loadings. Utilizing combinations of polymers may therefore be useful to tailor release profiles while providing optimized crystallization inhibition.