Delayed sustained drug release from electrostatic powder coated tablets with ultrafine polymer blends

The present study aims to apply an electrostatic dry powder coating process to coat aspirin tablets with polymer blends to produce a single-layer coating film, which potentially allows an advantageous delayed sustained drug release profile. The coating formulations containing polymer blends of enteric polymer (hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate-succinate) and insoluble polymer (Eudragit (R) RL) were successfully developed and optimized. Results of scanning electron microscopy and acid resistance test demonstrated that curing conditions had a significant impact on the qualities of the produced film. Drug dissolution experiments revealed that changes in the coating level and the coating formulation with different ratios of the enteric polymer to the insoluble polymer achieved an altered and adjustable drug release profile. All of the results suggested that electrostatic powder coating technology is capable to produce a satisfactory coating film with polymer blends, allowing an advantageous functionality of delayed sustained drug release. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.