Abstract

The main objective of the present study is to improve the dissolution rate of naproxen using carrierssuch as PVP, PEG4000, PEG6000, PEG2000, methylcellulose and β-cyclodextrin with a view to develop fast release formulations of naproxen. Solid dispersions of naproxen were prepared by solvent evaporation method and the dispersions were evaluated for drug content uniformity, dissolution rate, moisture absorption, thin layer chromatography and X-ray diffraction analysis. The particle shape and topography were studied using scanning electron microscopy. A marked increase in dissolution rate was observed with all solid dispersions. Among the carriers studied, naproxen-β-cyclodextrin gave the highest improvement in dissolution rate. All the solid dispersions except naproxen-PVP were found to be non-hygroscopic. Naproxen was found to be in an amorphous form in solid dispersions. Selected dispersions of naproxen-β-cyclodextrin and naproxen-methylcellulose were formulated into capsules with usual additives and evaluated for drug release characteristics.