Analyzing the impact of different excipients on drug release behavior in hot-melt extrusion formulations using FTIR spectroscopic imaging.

The drug release performance of hot-melt extrudate formulations is mainly affected by its composition and interactions between excipients, drug and the dissolution media. For targeted formulation development, it is crucial to understand the role of these interactions on the drug release performance of extrudate formulations. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopic imaging was used with an in-situ flow-cell device to analyze the impact of different excipients on drug release from extrudates. The compositions differed in the type of polymer (copovidone and Soluplus®), the salt or acid form of ibuprofen and the addition of sodium carbonate. For comparison, conventional USP (United States Pharmacopeia) Apparatus 2 dissolution studies were performed. FTIR imaging revealed that differences in the drug release rate were mainly due to drug-polymer interactions. Ibuprofen acid showed interactions with the matrix polymer and exhibited a slower drug release compared to non-interacting ibuprofen salt. Addition of sodium carbonate to the ibuprofen acid containing formulations enhanced the drug release rate of these systems by interfering with the drug-polymer interactions. In addition, drug release rates also depended on the polymer type, showing faster drug release rates for extrudate formulations containing copovidone compared to Soluplus®. FTIR imaging revealed that the stronger the drug-polymer interaction in the formulations, the slower the drug release. The addition of sodium carbonate improved release as it reduces drug-polymer interactions and allows for the formation of the more water-soluble ibuprofen salt.