A Review on Solubility Enhancement Techniques

Abstract

The solubility of drugs plays a crucial role in pharmaceutical formulation. It is particularly important for the drug to reach its intended site of action in order to achieve success. Additionally, the bioavailability and solubility of the drug are significant factors in determining the pharmacological effect of any formulation, especially in the case of oral dosage forms. However, formulating poorly water-soluble drugs can often be quite challenging. The poor solubility of the drug can lead to decreased absorption and dissolution rates, making it necessary to improve solubility through various methods such as salt formulation, solid dispersion, co-solvency, and the addition of solubilizing agents. These approaches are commonly employed to enhance the dissolution rate of the drug. Nevertheless, it is important to note that achieving the desired bioavailability enhancement through these techniques may not always be possible. In this review, we will explore several techniques used to increase the solubility of poorly soluble drugs, including reducing particle size, adjusting pH, solid dispersion, and hydrotrophy, among others.