Non-traditional plasticization of polymeric films.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of methylparaben, ibuprofen, chlorpheniramine maleate and theophylline on the thermal and mechanical properties of polymeric films of Eudragit RS 30 D. The effects of methylparaben and ibuprofen in the film coating on the rate of drug release from Eudragit RS 30 D coated beads were also studied. The physical and mechanical properties of the cast films and coated beads were investigated using thermal analysis, tensile testing, X-ray diffraction analysis and dissolution testing. The results demonstrated that the glass transition temperature of the Eudragit RS 30 D decreased with increasing levels of methylparaben, ibuprofen and chlorpheniramine maleate in the film. Theophylline exerted no influence on the thermal properties of the polymer. The higher levels of the ibuprofen and methylparaben incorporated into the film resulted in a decrease in the tensile strength of the film. The decrease in Young's modulus of Eudragit RS 30 D coated beads was attributed to an increase in the flexibility of the polymeric films when the level of methylparaben or ibuprofen in the polymeric dispersion was increased. The dissolution data demonstrated that the rate of release of the ibuprofen from coated beads was decreased by increasing the amount of ibuprofen and methylparaben in the polymeric film coating.