Physicochemical characterization of solid dispersion systems of tadalafil with poloxamer 407

Dissolution behaviour of a poorly water-soluble drug, tadalafil, from its solid dispersion systems with poloxamer 407 has been investigated. Solid dispersion systems of tadalafil were prepared with poloxamer 407 in 1:0.5, 1:1.5 and 1:2.5 ratios using the melting method. Characterization of binary systems with FTIR and XRPD studies demonstrated the presence of strong hydrogen bonding interactions, a significant decrease in crystallinity and the possibility of existence of amorphous entities of the drug. In the binary systems tested, 1:0.5 proportion of tadalafil/poloxamer 407 showed rapid dissolution of tadalafil (DE(30) 70.9 + or - 3.6 %). In contrast, higher proportions of poloxamer 407 (1:1.5 and 1:2.5) offered no advantage towards dissolution enhancement of the drug, indicating altered rheological characteristics of the polymer at its higher concentration, which might have retarded the release rate of tadalafil.