The purpose of this study was to apply the attractive technique of the microwaves irradiation (MW) for the preparation of solvent-free solid dispersions (SD). In particular, the microwave technology has been
considered in order to prepare an enhanced release dosage form for the poorly soluble drug Ibuprofen (IBU), employing PVP/VA 60/40 (PVP/VA 64) and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) as hydrophilic
carriers. Their physico-chemical characteristics and dissolution properties were compared to the corresponding
physical mixtures and the drug alone. The results of physico-chemical characterization attested
a correspondence of the solid state of the drug before and after irradiation treatment and that an amorphous
form of the drug was obtained. This result, together with the presence of the hydrophilic polymers
determined a remarkable enhancement of the in vitro dissolution rate of the drug suggesting that the
microwave technique could be considered as a new and interesting method to prepare drug–polymer
systems.
