Main Article Content
Abstract
Ritonavir a widely prescribed antiretroviral protease inhibitor drug belong to Class II under BCS and exhibit low and variable oral bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. Its oral absorption is dissolution rate limited and it requires enhancement in solubility and dissolution rate for increasing its oral bioavailability. In present study PEG 20000, SOLUPLUS and PLASDONE were used as carriers to enhance the dissolution of Ritonavir. Solid dispersions were prepared at 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 ratios of drug and polymers. Solid dispersions of all the values are within the official I.P. limits. Dissolution of Ritonavir was studied in pH 1.2 in case of carriers. FT-IR was performed to identify the interaction between drug and carriers. ‘r’ values are higher in first order indication first order kinetics. So selected ratios were used for preparation of tablets by direct compression method. Prepared tablets were again evaluated for Drug content, hardness, friability, disintegration and dissolution characteristics. All the values were found to be within the official I.P. limits. In dissolution study ‘r’ values found to be first order model indicates first order kinetics. In each case tablets prepared employing carriers gave higher dissolution rates as compared to the tablets prepared using pure drug. Hence solid dispersion in polymers can be used for enhancing the solubility and dissolution of Ritonavir.