Nanocrystalline formulations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors using cellulosic surface stabilizers

A stable dispersion consisting essentially of:

• (a) a liquid dispersion medium;
• and
• (b) a nanoparticulate composition comprising:
• (i) a crystalline HIV protease inhibitor in the form of particles having a solubility in water of less than about 10 mg/ml, wherein the particles have an effective average particle size of less than about 1000 nm;
• and
• (ii) about 0.1 to 90% (w/w), based on the total weight of the dry drug particle, of a cellulosic surface stabilizer adsorbed on the surface of the HIV protease inhibitor particles.

A pharmaceutical composition consisting essentially of:

• (a) a crystalline HIV protease inhibitor in the form of particles having a solubility in water of less than about 10 mg/ml, wherein the particles have an effective average particle size of less than about 1000 nm;
• (b) about 0.1 to 90% (w/w), based on the total weight of the dry drug particle, of a cellulosic surface stabilizer adsorbed on the surface of the HIV protease inhibitor particles;
• and
• (c) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.