Influence of Plasticizers and Drugs on the Physical-Mechanical Properties of Hydroxypropylcellulose Films Prepared by Hot Melt Extrusion

Abstract
Hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) films containing drugs or hydrophilic or hydrophobic plasticizers were prepared by a hot melt extrusion process. Polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG 8000) 2%, triethyl citrate (TEC) 2%, acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC) 2%, and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) 1% were the plasticizing agents studied. In addition, either hydrocortisone (HC) 1% or chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) 1% was incorporated into the films as a model drug. The physical-mechanical properties of the films that were investigated included tensile strength (TS), percentage elongation (%E), and Young's modulus (YM). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was utilized to determine glass transition temperatures (Tg' s). These parameters were studied as a function of time and temperature. The glass transition temperatures initially decreased with the inclusion of the drugs and plasticizers. However, after 6 months aging, films containing PEG 400 and HC showed a marked increase in Tg. The films containing PEG 400 showed phy...

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