OBJECTIVE： To establish a method for content determination of indapamide （IDP）-β-cyclodextrin （β-CD） inclusion compound， optimize the preparation technology， carry out phase identification and in vivo release study of it. METHODS： UV spectrophotometry was used to determine the content of IDP in IDP-β-CD inclusion compound. IDP-β-CD inclusion compound was prepared by the solution-stirring method and the preparation technology was optimized by the orthogonal experiment using inclusion rate as index. The inclusion rate and drug-loading rate were compared between different drying methods. Phase identification of IDP-β-CD inclusion compound was verified by IR and DSC. The cumulative release rate of inclusion compound was tested by in vitro experiment. RESULTS： The linear range of concentration of IDP was 2.0-14.0 μg/mL （r＝0.999 7）. The quantitative limit and detection limit were 0.204， 0.067 μg/mL， respectively. RSDs of precision， stability and repeatability tests were all less than 2％. The recoveries range was 98.8％-101.8％（RSD＝1.10％，n＝6）. The optimum technology conditions were as follows the molar ratio of β-CD to IDP was 3 ∶ 1， the inclusion time was 3 h， and the stirring speed was 300 r/min. Average inclusion rate of IDP-β-CD inclusion compound was 72.81％. IR and DSC analysis showed that IDP and β-CD formed inclusion compound through physical interaction. After spray drying， the inclusion rate and drug-loading rate of IDP-β-CD inclusion compound were （60.96±0.25）％ and （4.18±0.12）％. After freeze-drying， the inclusion rate and drug-loading rate of IDP-β-CD inclusion compound were （77.31±0.51）％ and （5.31±0.27）％. Accumulative release rates of IDP， IDP-β-CD inclusion compound （by freeze-drying and spray drying） were 37.2％， 42.5％ and 81.9％ within 12 h， respectively. Compared with IDP raw material， accumulative release rate of IDP-β-CD inclusion compound increased significantly after spray drying. CONCLUSIONS： Established method is simple and accurate. The optimal preparation technology of inclusion compound is stable and feasible. IDP-β-CD inclusion compound is prepared successfully. The inclusion compound prepared by spray drying shows higher release rate.