An improvement in physicochemical properties of carvedilol through spherically agglomerated solid dispersions with PVP K30.

Spherically agglomerated solid dispersions of carvedilol (CAR) were prepared with polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP) using acetone, water and dichloromethane as solvent, non-solvent and bridging liquid, respectively. The prepared agglomerates were evaluated for its percentage yield, drug content, morphology, thermal behavior, micromeritic properties, aqueous solubility and in vitro drug release. Differential scanning calorimetric and powder X-ray diffraction studies confirm that formulation process altered the crystalline nature of carvedilol. The recrystallized agglomerates exhibited significant increase (p < 0.05) in micromeritic properties than untreated carvedilol. Solubility and in vitro drug release studies indicated that the spherical agglomerates showed significant increase (p < 0.05) in solubility and dissolution rate than pure carvedilol alone.