The Kinetics of Drug Release from Ethylcellulose Solid Dispersions

Abstract

Sulphadiazine - ethylcellulose (EC) solid dispersions with different drug: carrier ratios were prepared and fractionated. In vitro drug release followed an apparent zero-order kinetics rate constant being dependent on the thickness of the coat which was the rate controlling step in the process. Drug release was found to increase as the granule size was decreased. The amount of drug released was found to be pH dependent thus showing the existence of pores in the coat surrounding the drug particles. Inclusion of polyethylene glycol or sodium lauryl sulphate in the coat material or dissolution medium resulted in increased dissolution, an effect which was attributed to increase in porosity, reduction of interfacial tension and increase in wettability which was associated with the presence of these compounds.