Thermal characterization and compatibility studies of itraconazole and excipients for development of solid lipid nanoparticles

The current study was performed to investigate possible interactions between triazole antifungal drug itraconazole (ITR) with selected excipients commonly used for development of solid lipid nanoparticles. The excipients included common lipids (glyceryl behenate (Compritol 888 ATO™), glyceryl monostearate, stearic acid, and cetyl palmitate), charge inducers (dicetyl phosphate and stearlyamine), and surfactants (sodium cholate and sodium deoxycholate). Differential scanning calorimetry, isothermal stress testing, Fourier transform infrared spectral analysis, optical microcopy, and X-ray powder diffraction analysis were performed for assessing the compatibility between the drug and the excipients. Results of the study suggest that the stearic acid exhibited drug–excipient interactions, whereas all other excipients used in the study were found to be compatible with ITR.