Evaluation of physico-mechanical properties of carvedilol-cyclodextrin agglomerates obtained by emulsion solvent diffusion method

Spherical crystallization (SC) is a promising alternative for improiving micromeritic properties and dissolution rate of active pharmaceutical ingredients. In the present work spherical agglomerates of carvedilol (CAR) were prepared by emulsion solvent diffusion (ESD) method using acetone, water and dichloromethane as good solvent, poor solvent and bridging liquid, respectively. Agglomerates were prepared by using β-cyclodextrin and hydroxy propyl-β-cyclodextrin as a hydrophilic polymers. The agglomerates were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and were evaluated for flowability, solubility and drug release. CAR agglomerates exhibited significantly improved micromeritic properties, solubility as well as dissolution behaviors in comparison with pure CAR crystals. Differential scanning calorimetric and powder X-ray diffraction studies confirm that formulation process altered the crystalline nature of carvedilol. Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aires