Formulation and evaluation of solid dispersion tablets of furosemide using polyvinylpyrrolidone k-30

Objective: The objective of the present study was to improve the aqueous solubility and dissolution characteristics of the loop diuretic furosemide (FUR); a class IV drug in the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) using solid dispersion technique. Methods: Solvent evaporation and kneading methods were used to produce solid dispersions of FUR in different ratios with the hydrophilic carrier polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 (PVP-K30). The prepared solid dispersions were evaluated in terms of solubility study, percentage yield, drug content and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study (FT-IR). Tablets containing the optimized formula of solid dispersions ( were formulated and their dissolution characteristics were compared with commercial furosemide tablets. Results: The prepared solid dispersions showed an increase in aqueous solubility, especially those formulated in a 1:2 drug: carrier ratio using solvent evaporation method ( it showed a four-fold increase in solubility compared to the parent drug. The absence of drug-carrier chemical interactions that could affect the dissolution was proved by FT-IR. Solid dispersion tablets exhibited a better dissolution profile in simulated gastric fluid pH 1.2 at 37°C ± 0.5 than the commercial FUR tablets in terms of mean dissolution time (8.44 min) and dissolution efficiency in 30 min (42.54%). Both FUR solid dispersions and commercial tablets followed Weibull and Krosmeyer models as the two best models of drug release kinetics proving that they were immediate release. Conclusion: According to the results obtained in this study, solid dispersion techniques could be successfully used for the enhancement of aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of FUR.