Abstract: Drug particles which are essentially crystalline and have a mean particle size below about 2 microns, when dispersed in water, are described. When added to an aqueous medium at 25-95% of the equilibrium solubility of the drug substance, the drug particles show complete dissolution, as characterized by a 95% reduction in turbidity, in less than 5 minutes. Using a controlled precipitation process to prepare such drug particles is also described. Such drug particles exhibit an enhanced dissolution rate and better stability as compared to particles prepared according to processes described in the prior art.

Abstract: A process for preparing crystalline particles of a drug substance is disclosed, said process comprising recirculating an anti-solvent through a mixing zone, dissolving the drug substance in a solvent to form a solution, adding the solution to the mixing zone to form a particle slurry in the anti-solvent, and recirculating at least a portion of the particle slurry back through the mixing zone. Particles produced from the process are also disclosed. The present invention has the ability to be operated in a continuous fashion, resulting in a more efficient process and a more uniform product. The present invention has the additional advantage of having the ability to operate at a relatively low solvent ratio, thereby increasing the drug to excipient ratio.