Physicochemical evaluation of carbamazepine microparticles produced by the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions and by spray-drying.

Purpose: To compare the physical and physicochemical characteristics of carbamazepine microparticles prepared using two different methods: (1) the rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) and (2) the spray-drying process.

Methods: For both processes, microparticles were produced over a range of different temperatures (35 to 100 degrees C). For the RESS method, carbon dioxide was the solvent used over a pressure range of 2500 to 3500 psi.