Preparation of micrometer size budesonide particles by precipitation

Particles of different shape, size and crystallinity of budesonide, a hydrocortisone streroid, were prepared by precipitation. The method is based on taking advantage of the different solubility of this material in certain organic solvents (ethanol, acetone) and water or alcanes. In principle, to solutions of budesonide, water was added until the solids precipitate or the same solute in mixed solvents was carefully separated by evaporation of the more volatile component at room temperature. The morphology, size, and stability of the resulting particles were sensitive to the evaporation technique, stirring, and presence of a stabilizing agent. (C) 2000 Academic Press.