DOI: 10.21276/sajp.2017.6.3.2

Pages: 80-88

Solubility considered as the main challenge in preparing an oral dosage form of drugs had poor aqueous solubility. Solid dispersion (SD) is a solid dosage form which composed of poorly soluble drug dispersed though out a hydrophilic polymeric matrix, which could be crystalline or amorphous. Solid dispersion preparation may consist of one or more than one poorly soluble drug in an inactive solid polymeric matrix. Telmisartan (TLM) is an antihypertensive agent that belongs to Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs). This study shows the effect of using poloxamer 188 and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in formulating TLM as solid dispersion and its solubility and dissolution properties. 10 formulas of TLM SD prepared using "solvent evaporation method". Results showed that the solubility of TLM SD improved for all formulas and increased as polymer ratio increased. The release profile of TLM was improved for SD than that of pure drug. Formulas F5 (TLM: PVP 1:4) and F8 (TLM: poloxamer 188 1:1) had the better release profile. This could reflect positively on the onset of drug action. Therefore, one may expect that the antihypertensive effect may be faster for TLM SD than pure TLM since its solubility, dissolution and hence absorption, will be initiated in the stomach.