New in vitro dissolution test apparatus.

A new in vitro dissolution test apparatus was designed and evaluated. Compressed tablets of drugs representing different solubility characteristics were tested at various air pressures and compared to dissolution patterns of similar tablets by the Levy beaker and USP methods. Air pressure of 46 mm generally was suitable for determining the dissolution rates of tablets. This new dissolution tester possibly can be useful in determining drug release from solid dosage forms and correlating it with in vivo bioavailability because dissolution rate can be controlled easily with the adjustment of air pressure without complicated changes in the apparatus, there is no excessive settling of particles, and complete drug dissolution can be achieved with no clogging of the screen.