Terfenadine-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with antihistaminic activity enhancement

Terfenadine, an antihistaminic drug, has relatively low bioavailability after oral administration due to its limited solubility in water. To enhance the antihistaminic activity of terfenadine, the terfenadine-beta -cyclodextrin (1:2) inclusion complex was prepared by the neutralization method. The solubility and dissolution of the inclusion complex were carried out, and its antihistaminic activity was then evaluated and compared with terfenadine powder by the passive subcutaneous anaphylaxis method in rats. The formation constant of the inclusion complex was higher at lower pH, while its formation ratio was 1:2 irrespective of pH. For terfenadine, it improved the solubility 200 times and the dissolution rate 5 times. It gave a low histamine level at 30 min, followed by a sustained low level until 60 min, while terfenadine powder gave a low histamine level at 60 min, suggesting that it had faster and more effective antihistaminic activity than terfenadine powder in rats due to fast dissolution and absorption of terfenadine. It is concluded that this inclusion complex enhanced the antihistaminic activity of terfenadine following the enhanced solubility and dissolution of terfenadine.