Meclizine HCl is a poorly water-soluble drug having a very slow-onset of action. The effect of 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrins and β-cyclodextrins on its aqueous solubility and dissolution rate was investigated. The phase solubility profile indicated that the solubility of Meclizine HCl was significantly increased in the presence of both 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and β- cyclodextrin; an extend of increase being more for 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. It was classified as AL-type, indicating the 1:1 stoichiometric inclusion complexes. The complexes formed were quite stable. The solid complexes prepared by physical mixtures, kneading methods, and co-precipitation methods were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and FTIR. An in vitro study showed that the solubility and dissolution rate of Meclizine HCl were significantly improved by complexation with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. Tablet formulation using 1:1 kneading complex of Meclizine HCl and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin with drug equivalent to 25 mg was prepared by a direct compression method. A dissolution study of prepared tablets was performed in 0.5% SLS in water (pH 7.0). Almost 96% drug was released from the formulation at the end of 30min. A comparison study of prepared tablets was done with marketed a Meclizine HCl 25 mg conventional tablet. From the results of dissolution study, it was found that the prepared formulation was showing better release, which was statistically significant P < 0.01 than a marketed tablet (paired t-test). Only 54% drug release was observed from the marketed tablet at the end of 30 min. Hence this study concludes that the solubility enhancement of Meclizine HCl could be successfully achieved using the inclusion complexation technique.
Keywords: 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin; Meclizine HCl; co-precipitation method; kneading method; phase solubility profile; β-cyclodextrin.