Etoricoxib Co-Grinding: Unlocking New Frontiers in Drug Solubility

Sakr, Fatma; Habib, Doaa A.; Abass, Haidy A.; Elbedaiwy, Heba M

doi:10.21608/jampr.2025.371951.1095

Etoricoxib Co-Grinding: Unlocking New Frontiers in Drug Solubility

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damanhur University, Damanhur, Egypt.

² Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Alsalam University in Egypt, Kafr Al Zaiyat, Egypt

10.21608/jampr.2025.371951.1095

Abstract

The classification of etoricoxib (ETX), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, under the Biopharmaceutics Classification System as a model class II drug is based on its low solubility and slow dissolution rate, which limits its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. This study aimed to improve the dissolution rate and consequently the anti-inflammatory efficacy of etoricoxib. A mixture of etoricoxib with different co-formers, L-alanine, L-glycine and sucralose, has been developed in three ratios (1:1, 1:2, and 1:4) by the liquid assisted grinding. All formulations underwent in-vitro dissolution testing to assess their effectiveness in improving drug solubility. Among the tested co-formers, sucralose demonstrated a significant enhancement in etoricoxib dissolution. The in-vitro characterization revealed enhancement in the solubility properties of ETX, which may have led to a better dissolution profile. The formula consisting of etoricoxib and sucralose at a 1:4 ratio was identified as the targeted formula with the desired characteristics, making it the ideal formulation for further investigation.

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