Solid Dispersions as a Drug Delivery System

Solid dispersion, defined as the dispersion of one or more active ingredient in a carrier or matrix at solid state, is an efficient strategy for improving dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs for enhancement of their bioavailability. Compared to other conventional formulations such as tablets or capsules, solid dispersion which can be prepared by various methods has many advantages. However, despite numerous studies which have been carried out, limitations for commercializing these products remain to be solved. For example, during the manufacturing process or storage, amorphous form of solid dispersion can be converted into crystalline form. That is, the dissolution rate of solid dispersion would continuously decrease during storage, resulting in a product of no value. To resolve these problems, studies have been conducted on the effects of excipients. In fact, modification of the solid dispersions to overcome these disadvantages has progressed from the first generation to the recent third generation products. In this review, an overview on solid dispersions in general will be given with emphasis on the various manufacturing processes which include the use of polymers and on the stabilization strategies which include methods to prevent crystallization.