Polymorphism

Polymorphism is the ability of a solid material, particularly a drug, to exist in more than one crystalline form, each having distinct physical and chemical properties such as melting point, solubility, and stability.

Polymorphism Types:

• Enantiotropic Polymorphs: Can reversibly transform from one form to another based on temperature or pressure.
• Monotropic Polymorphs: Irreversible transformation; one form is more stable than others.

Impact on Drug Properties:

• Solubility: Different polymorphs have different dissolution rates.
• Stability: Some polymorphs may degrade faster under storage conditions.
• Bioavailability: A more soluble polymorph can lead to faster absorption.

Example:

• Ritonavir faced formulation challenges due to a polymorphic transformation leading to decreased solubility and bioavailability.
• Carbamazepine has multiple polymorphic forms with different dissolution profiles.

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