ABSTRACT:
Itraconazole is an imidazole/triazole type, broad spectrum antifungal compound. It has low water solubility and low bioavailablity. In the present study, to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of Itraconazole, immediate release pellets were formulated by solution-suspension layering using solubility enhancing polymer- hypromellose (HPMC). Drug coating was done with Itraconazole and Hypromellose (3 or 5 cps) in different ratios 1:1.25, 1:1.5, 1:1.6, 1:1.75. A successive seal coat was layered onto the drug pellets with Polyethylene glycol 20000. The prepared pellets were evaluated and compared with marketed formulation for drug content estimation and in-vitro drug release study. Dissolution studies revealed that formulations containing Itraconazole and Hypromellose, 3 cps (1:1.6), showed better drug release within 45 minutes. The study concluded that the affect of viscosity and concentration of solubility enhancer- Hypromellose on the drug release profile of poorly soluble and low bioavailable drug was ascertained.