RESUMO
Olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) is a novel selective angiotensin II receptor blocker USFDA approved drug for the treatment of hypertension. The oral bioavailability of OLM is 26% in healthy humans due to low solubility in water. The aim of the present investigation was to develop a self–microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to enhance the solubility of OLM. The screening study of OLM with different oils, surfactants and co–surfactants was done. Out of study optimized batch was converted in to solid freeze dried powder using 2% w/v mannitol as cryoprotcatant by lyophilization technique. This freeze dried powder shown good flow properties. The in vitro dissolution shown that about 99.28±0.013%of the drug is released within 45 min in freeze dried Solid–SMEDDS, while plain drug showed only 37.88±0.025% and marketed tablet shown only 58.31±0.015 % dissolution at the end of 45 min. The in vitro dissolution studies indicate that formulation of OLM in the form of freeze dried powder enhances the dissolution properties.