The dissolution pattern of 5 kinds of commercial indomethacin capsules were measured with the U. S.P. dissolution tester in pH shift test solution adding 0.25% Tween 80 in consideration of the acidity in the gastrointestinal tract. Sample A was not coated capsules containing 25mg of indomethacin, whereas samples B and C were prolonged activity capsules containing 25mg, and samples D and E were prolonged activity capsules containing 37.5mg. pH of the medium was designed to rise gradually from 2.3 to 3.7 in the first 150 min, rapidly from 3.7 to 6.2 in the subsequent 30 min, and gradually up to 6.9 after 300 min.
The following results were obtained: 1) Sample A: The time required for 100% dissolution was about 30 min. 2) Samples B and C: The dissolution pattern of B was apparently different from that of sample C. About 100% of sample B was dissolved after 300 min, compared with about 75% of sample C. 3) Samples D and E: The dissolution pattern of sample D was apparently different from that of sample C. About 100% of sample D was dissolved after 300 min, as against about 80% of sample E.