On the use of the Weibull function for the discernment of drug release mechanisms

Previous findings from our group based on Monte Carlo simulations indicated that Fickian drug release from Euclidian or fractal matrices can be described with the Weibull function. In this study, the entire drug release kinetics of various published data and experimental data from commercial or prepared controlled release formulations of diltiazem and diclofenac are analyzed using the Weibull function. The exponent of time b of the Weibull function is linearly related to the exponent n of the power law derived from the analysis of the first 60% of the release curves. The value of the exponent b is an indicator of the mechanism of transport of a drug through the polymer matrix. Estimates for b ≤ 0.75 indicate Fickian diffusion in either fractal or Euclidian spaces while a combined mechanism (Fickian diffusion and Case II transport) is associated with b values in the range 0.75 < b < 1. For values of b higher than 1, the drug transport follows a complex release mechanism.