Spherical Crystallization as Particle Engineering Technique to Improve Processability of Poor Flowing Furosemide

Abstract

The pharmaceutical industry is focusing on developing simple and economical formulations to meet desired drug delivery challenges. Tablet continues to be the most popular dosage form. From the manufacturing point of view tablets can be produced at much higher rate than any other dosage forms. The formulation of tablet must be optimized to achieve desired goals. Poor flow of active pharmaceutical ingredient may raise issues like loss of tablet hardness and weight variation. This may restrict the formulator to use granulation techniques or higher levels of lubricants and glidants to impart the flow, which may adversely affect dissolution and compaction. Furosemide is a class IV drug from BCS classification and possesses poor flow properties. The main objective of study was to improve the flow properties of furosemide and thereby improve its solubility leading ultimately improvements in its bioavailability. We used two different techniques of spherical crystallization to improve the flow properties of furosemide. Our results reveal that the spherical crystallization by neutralization technique is better method than wet spherical crystallization to improve the flow properties of furosemide. Flow properties of excipients also affect the compression process. In conclusion, spherical crystallization technique could be used to enhance the flow properties of furosemide.