Methods to Enhance the Dissolution Rates and Bioavailability of Poorly Soluble Drugs

Many drugs have low solubility, leading to poor bioavailability. Various techniques improve dissolution:

Physicochemical Approaches

1. Particle Size Reduction – Increasing surface area (e.g., micronization, nanosizing).

2. Salt Formation – Converting the drug into a more soluble salt form.

3. Polymorphs and Crystals – Selecting more soluble crystalline forms.

4. Complexation – Using cyclodextrins to form water-soluble complexes

Formulation Approaches

5. Use of Surfactants – Enhances wetting and solubilization.

6. Solid Dispersions – Drug is dispersed in a hydrophilic carrier (e.g., PEG, PVP).

7. Liposomes and Nanoparticles – Encapsulation for better solubility.

8. Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SEDDS) – Enhances lipid solubility.