Influence of Polymers on the Crystal Growth Rate of Felodipine: Correlating Adsorbed Polymer Surface Coverage to Solution Crystal Growth Inhibition.

The bioavailability of orally administered drugs that exhibit poor aqueous solubility can be enhanced with the use of supersaturating dosage forms. Stabilization of these forms by preventing or inhibiting crystallization in solution is an important area of study. Polymers can be used to stabilize supersaturated systems; however, the properties that impact their effectiveness as crystal growth rate inhibitors are not yet fully understood.

Impact of polymer conformation on the crystal growth inhibition of a poorly water-soluble drug in aqueous solution.

Poor aqueous solubility is a major hindrance to oral delivery of many emerging drugs. Supersaturated drug solutions can improve passive absorption across the gastrointestinal tract membrane as long as crystallization can be inhibited, enhancing the delivery of such poorly soluble therapeutics. Polymers can inhibit crystallization and prolong supersaturation; therefore, it is desirable to understand the attributes which render a polymer effective.