Simultaneous synthesis, stabilization, and self-assembly of microscale drug particles in polymer films

The antisolvent synthesis of micrometer-scale particles, their stabilization in suspension, and their subsequent self-assembly as homogeneous polymer films suitable for drug delivery were studied. Ultrasonic agitation was used in the precipitation of the drug particulates, stabilization was carried out with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and finally, drug-encapsulated films containing HPMC and polyvinylpyrrolidone were synthesized. These contained as much 28% of the drug Griseofulvin, and the particles were distributed uniformly throughout the films. Most importantly, the redispersion of the drug-loaded films in an aqueous matrix showed that the crystallinity remained unaltered, and there was no appreciable increase in the particle size distribution.