Low substituted N-octenylsuccinate starch as a dissolution rate enhancer in solid dosage forms

Abstract

The dissolution rate enhancement properties of a low substituted N-octenylsuccinate starch was evaluated in a solid dosage form, containing nifedipine as a poorly soluble drug. The use of the modified starch improved dramatically the dissolution rate when prewetting was performed. The volume of wetting fluid had a critical influence on the dissolution rate and an optimum was reached when a 1% (w/w) dispersion was used. The binding efficacy of the starch was poor. Low substituted N-octenylsuccinate esters of waxy corn starch were shown to be a powerful dissolution enhancer of drugs in solid dosage forms.