Development and Oral Bioavailability of Self-Emulsifying Formulation of Ketoconazole

Abstract

Ketoconazole is an imidazole antifungal drug belonging to the class II of Biopharmaceutic Classification System. Maintenance of gastric acidity is essential for adequate dissolution and absorption of ketoconazole. Concurrent administration of antacid and antiulcer preparations decreases the oral absorption of ketoconazole often causing therapeutic failure.  The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a self-emulsifying formulation of ketoconazole would be able to overcome the pH dependent dissolution and oral bioavailability. Self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) was prepared after selecting the oil, surfactant and co-surfactant by solubility analysis. Optimum ratio of the components was finalized on the basis of drug content, self-emulsification and mean droplet diameter. The effect of pH on dissolution was studied in comparison to the pure drug. Oral bioavailability was determined in comparison to aqueous suspension in rats and the effect of co-administration of ranitidine hydrochloride solution and a commercially available liquid antacid preparation was studied. The optimized formulation containing 20% Capryol 90 and 40% each of Carbitol and Tween 80, exhibited 100% drug release regardless of the pH whereas the pure drug exhibited a highly pH dependent dissolution. The AUC0-24 resulted with oral administration of the SEDDS formulation was about 34%, 43% and 60% higher compared to the aqueous suspension when administered alone, administered with ranitidine and administered with antacid respectively. The results of the present study demonstrate that self-emulsifying formulations can be utilized for oral delivery of weakly basic drugs like ketoconazole which exhibit pH dependent dissolution.