Preparation of Zaleplon Microparticles Using Emulsion Solvent Diffusion Technique

Preparation of Zaleplon Microparticles Using Emulsion Solvent Diffusion Technique Zaleplon is a BCS class II drug suffering from poor solubility. In a trial to improve its dissolution, emulsion solvent diffusion method (ESD) was used to prepare zaleplon microparticles using sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as surfactant. Optimization of drug system was achieved. Particle size values of the prepared microparticles were ranged from 6.57 μm to 20.30 μm with narrow particle size distribution range. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for the characterization of the prepared systems. DSC and XRD patterns showed that the zaleplon microparticles possessed decreased crystallinity. Dissolution studies demonstrated that the systemated zaleplon microparticles exhibited significantly enhanced dissolution rate when compared to pure zaleplon.