Improved tabletting properties of ibuprofen using evaporative precipitation with gelatin

Abstract

Objectives: Ibuprofen is a problematic drug in tableting due to its high cohaesivity and viscoelastic properties. In this study coprecipitation of ibuprofen with varying concentration of gelatin to optimize properties of Ibuprofen was carried out. Methods: Optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the physical characteristics of the co-precipitates. The dissolution behavior, flowability and compaction properties of various batches were also studied. Results: Co-presipitation of drug with gelatin led to a change in habit from needle to plate shape crystals. The co-presipitates showed improved flow properties, while no change in dissolution rate of them was observed compared with ibuprofen alone. All of the obtained co-presipitates exhibited significantly improved tableting behavior compared with drug crystals alone. Due to the fact that the polymer covering the drug particles increases and changes the nature of the surface area available for interparticulate bonds between particles. DSC experiment showed that drug particles, in co-presipitates samples, did not undergo structural modifications. Conclusion: The study highlights the influence of polymeric additives on crystallization process leading to modified performance.