Development and in vitro Characterization of Meclizine Hydrochloride Solid Dispersions

The present research was aimed to develop the meclizine hydrochloride-polyethylene glycol 20000 solid dispersions to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate. They were prepared using solvent evaporation method and evaluated for solubility studies, drug-carrier compatibility studies and in vitro dissolution studies. From the solubility studies, formulation F4 was selected to prepare the fast dissolving tablets and compared with control tablets (conventional tablets using pure drug). From the results of in vitro dissolution study, tablets containing polyethylene glycol 20000 showed almost complete drug release within the 15 min. The percent drug release in 15 min (Q15) and initial dissolution rate for formulation F4 was 98.46±1.24%, 6.56%/min. These were very much higher compared to control tablets (32.49±1.29 %, 2.17%/min). The relative dissolution rate was found to be 3.03 and dissolution efficiency was found to be 54.44 and it is increased by 3.4 fold with F4 formulation compared to control tablets (16.55). Thus the formulation of polyethylene glycol 20000 solid dispersions is a suitable method to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of meclizine hydrochloride.