Povidone has been used as binder and diluent in tablet or capsulation. Studies were made to find the effect of molecular weight of povidone on the release of capsulated drugs for oral administration. Erdosteine which is a mucolytic agent and contains two blocked sulfhydryl groups that are released following its metabolic process was prepared into capsule type with povidone of various molecular weights. The dissolution rate of erdostein with povidone decreased as the molecular weight of povidone increased. We used microcrystalline cellulose as filler and magnesium sterarate as lubricant. The dissolution rate of erdostein from capsule decreased in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2), simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8), pH 4.0 and H2O as increasing K value of PVP. This study suggests that the molecular weight of pharmaceutical exipients could affect the erdostein release behavior.
