Abstract
The binding and disintegrating properties of cyclodextrin polymer as well as its effect on the dissolution of a poorly soluble drug have been evaluated on the basis of the hardness, friability and disintegration time of directly compressed tablets. The hardness of tablets containing cyclodextrin polymer in addition to potato starch or lactose was lower than that of tablets with microcrystalline cellulose indicating that cyclodextrin polymer has a relatively poor binding capacity. The disintegrating action of cyclodextrin polymer was compared to those of potato starch and lactose, with microcrystalline cellulose as a binder. Equal disintegration times were obtained with 2.5% cyclodextrin polymer, 12.5% potato starch, and 25% lactose. The dissolution rate of furosemide was greatly accelerated by as little as 2.5% cyclodextrin polymer added to microcrystalline cellulose. A somewhat lower dissolution rate was observed with 12.5% potato starch. As a result it was shown that cyclodextrin polymer, which has excellent disintegrating properties as well as some binding capacity, can be used advantageously in direct compression systems as a binder-disintegrant.
