Dissolution from solid lipid extrudates containing release modifiers.

The influence of different types of release modifiers on the dissolution from solid lipid extrudates was investigated. Diprophylline was extruded together with 45% tristearin and 5% (w/w) of a release modifier to suitable extrudates. Three groups of release modifiers were defined: Hydrocolloids, disintegrants and pore formers. All of the release modifier-containing extrudates showed a faster release compared to the reference extrudate, which contained 50% (w/w) of each, API and lipid. Increasing the amount of diprophylline in the binary mixture up to 55% (w/w) also increased its release rate. Compared to this new reference, not all of the release modifier-containing extrudates exhibited an increased dissolution rate. Within the group of pore formers, there was a great discrepancy concerning the dissolution rates. Extrudates containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) exhibited a much higher release rate compared with extrudates containing sodium chloride or mannitol. This behaviour was assumed to be based on the extrusion temperature of 65°C at which PEG exists in the molten state. The hypothesis was tested using different PEGs and another solid lipid.