Hot-melt extrusion (HME) is a process for converting a raw material into a product of uniform shape and density by forcing it through a die under controlled conditions [1]. It represents an efficient manufacturing technology to disperse drugs in a melt up to a true molecular solution of a pharmaceutical ingredient into a polymeric matrix [2]. Most of the applications describe the preparation of solid dispersions by HME either to increase the aqueous solubility and oral bioavailability of the active substance or to control its release. The advantages of HME are: (i) avoidance of organic solvent; (ii) reduction of processing steps (one pot method); (iii) elimination of the good compressibility requirement for the active ingredients and excipients; (iv) high level of drug content uniformity; and (v) improved bioavailability through drug solubilization or molecular level dispersion in water soluble matrix [3].
展开▼
