Levitated single-droplet drying: Case study with itraconazole dried in binary organic solvent mixtures

The objective of this case study of the single-droplet drying of two itraconazole/polymer formulations was to determine how the solvent system influences drying rate and dried particle morphology. A clear dual functionality of the two solutes could be identified. The polymeric component (PVP or HPMC) determined drying rate, whereas the drug determined end particle morphology. This could be related to solubilities of the two components in the binary solvent mixtures used. The formulation of a surface skin early on in drying only occurred with HPMC and strongly influenced drying rate but not dried particle morphology.