Improved dissolution rate of poorly soluble drug by incorporation of buffers.

This study focused on comparing dissolution rates of indomethacin after co-compressing with three different buffers (calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium citrate) at pH 2 and 7. Factors affecting the dissolution rate were also examined, such as type and particle size of buffer and weight-to-weight ratio of drug to buffer. It was found that, at pH 7, the release rates of indomethacin with sodium carbonate (< 74 microns, all proportions) and sodium citrate (< 74 microns, 75% loading) at a 20-min test time were about 10-fold and 6-fold greater, respectively, than that of indomethacin alone. When the drug and buffer were compressed into tablets using a tableting machine, the release rates of indomethacin for the control, sodium carbonate incorporated (25% and 75% buffer loading), and sodium citrate incorporated (75% buffer loading) at a 15-min test time were 50%, 90%, 66%, and 67%, respectively.