Piroxicam release from spray-dried biodegradable microspheres.

Poly(D,L-lactide) (DL-PLA) and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (DL-PLGA) microspheres containing a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory model drug, piroxicam, were prepared by a spray drying process. The microspheres were characterized for surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy, particle size distribution by laser diffraction spectrometry, drug content and in vitro drug release. The diameters of the microspheres ranged from 1 to 15 microns. The DL-PLA particles appeared to be more spherical and smooth than the DL-PLGA particles, which showed a more undulated surface. Piroxicam content in the microspheres was 10%. A very high encapsulation efficiency of 99.0% was achieved with both polymers. In vitro release studies were carried out in a flow-through cell. The in vitro release rate of the drug from the DL-PLA microspheres was very slow. Less than 20% of the loaded drug was released within 10 d. The release mechanism was diffusion controlled and followed a square root of time relationship. Only a very small initial burst effect was observed. In contrast, the DL-PLGA microspheres provided a much faster drug release: about 50% was released within the first 5 h of the experiment. The mechanism for piroxicam release from the DL-PLA microspheres is not matrix erosion, but mainly drug diffusion through the intact polymer barrier. For the DL-PLGA microspheres, a pore diffusion release mechanism is proposed.