Solubility Enhancement of Atorvastatin Calcium by Using Microwave Assisted Solid Dispersion Preparation Method

The present study was designed to improve the solubility and hence enhance the dissolution of hydrophobic drug Atorvastatin Calcium (ATC) in order to increase its bioavailability. Solid dispersion of Atorvastatin Calcium using carrier PEG 6000 was formulated in different ratios by conventional fusion and microwave induced fusion method. In particular, the Microwave technology has been considered in order to prepare an enhanced release dosage form for poorly water soluble drug ATC. Their physicochemical characteristics and solubility were compared to the corresponding dispersions and pure drug. Three different formulations were prepared using Conventional fusion method and Microwave induced fusion method in different ratios i.e., 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 respectively and further characterized by FTIR. The results of FTIR revealed that no chemical interaction between the drug and the polymer exist. All the formulations showed a marked increase in drug solubility with the increase in the concentration of PEG 6000. But the dispersion prepared by microwave induced fusion method shows more solubility than conventional hot melt method for preparation of solid dispersion.(1)