Dissolution Behavior of Griseofulvin Solid Dispersions Using Polyethylene Glycol, Talc, and Their Combination as Dispersion Carriers

Griseofulvin solid dispersions were prepared using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG), talc, and their combination as carriers by the solvent method. The dissolution of griseofulvin from these dispersions was studied. It was found that in these carriers the drug dissolution rate was a function of drug loading. The dissolution rate from dispersions prepared using PEG was similar to that from PEG/talc dispersions, especially at a low percentage of drug loading. Dispersions of PEG and PEG/talc provided dissolution rates faster than those from dispersions of talc. The incorporation of talc in PEG yielded dispersions with properties of less tackiness and ease for handling. Dissolution kinetics, based on the Hixson-Crowell equation, was used to determine the characteristics of griseofulvin particles in dispersions. Linear relationships were obtained for PEG and PEG/talc dispersions that indicated the presence of a uniformly sized monoparticulate system, whereas deviation from linearity was observed for talc dispersions. This appeared to be a multiparticulate system in which particles were present as free form and adsorbed form on the surface of talc.