Maryam Maghsoodi
1*1 Drug Applied Research Center and School of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract
Background: Wet agglomeration is a method wherein the crystals of
dispersion are held together in aggregates by small amount of a liquid acting
as an intercrystal binder. In present
study, in order to study the possible modification of agglomerate structure,
low concentrations of additives (0.1-1%) were added to binder liquid.
Methods: Piroxicam agglomerates were produced by wet
agglomeration method by three solvent systems including a good solvent
(dimethylformamide or acetone), antisolvent (water) and a binder liquid
(ethylacetate or isopropylacetate). Span 80, talc, ethylcellulose and Eudragit
RS in different concentrations were used as additives. The agglomerates were evaluated for
production yield of agglomerates, size, friability and drug release properties.
Results: The results showed that formation of agglomerates was
possible in presence of span and talc.
However, no agglomerates could be obtained with polymers tested
(ethylcellulose and Eudragit RS). Talc increased agglomerate size, whereas the
obtained agglomerates were more susceptible to breakup. However, using span as
opposed to talc resulted in agglomerates with higher strength but smaller
particle size. The dissolution tests showed that both additives adversely
affected the dissolution rate of piroxicam from the agglomerates.
Conclusion: Result of this study suggested that additives even in
small amounts played a major role in agglomerate properties.