Surfactant effects upon dissolution patterns of carbamazepine immediate release tablet

A Simple One-Parameter Percent Dissolved Versus Time Dissolution Equation that Accommodates Sink and Non-sink Conditions via Drug Solubility and Dissolution Volume

In vitro dissolution generally involves sink conditions, so dissolution equations generally do not need to accommodate non-sink conditions. Greater use of biorelevant media, which are typically less able to provide sink conditions than pharmaceutical surfactants, necessitates equations that accommodate non-sink conditions. One objective was to derive an integrated, one-parameter dissolution equation for percent dissolved versus time that accommodates non-sink effects via drug solubility and dissolution volume parameters, including incomplete solubility. A second objective was to characterize the novel equation by fitting it to biorelevant dissolution profiles of tablets of two poorly water-soluble drugs, as well as by conducting simulations of the effect of dose on dissolution profile. The Polli dissolution equation was derived, [Formula: see text], where M₀ is the drug dose (mg), c_s is drug solubility (mg/ml), V is dissolution volume (ml), and k_d is dissolution rate coefficient (ml/mg per min). Maximum allowable percent dissolved was determined by drug solubility and not a fitted extent of dissolution parameter. The equation fit tablet profiles in the presence and absence of sink conditions, using a single fitted parameter, k_d, and where solubility ranged over a 1000-fold range. k_d was generally smaller when c_s was larger. FeSSGF provided relatively small k_d values, reflecting FeSSGF colloids are large and slowly diffusing. Simulations showed impact of non-sink conditions, as well as plausible k_d values for various c_s scenarios, in agreement with observed k_d values. The equation has advantages over first-order and z-factor dissolution rate equations. An Excel file for regression is provided.

Mechanistic Investigation of Drug Supersaturation in the Presence of Polysorbates as Solubilizing Additives by Solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

The introduction of solubilizing additives has historically been an attractive approach to address the ever-growing proportion of poorly water-soluble drug (PWSD) compounds within the modern drug discovery pipeline. Lipid-formulations, and more specifically micelle formulations, have garnered particular interest because of their simplicity, size, scalability, and avoidance of solid-state limitations. Although micelle formulations have been widely utilized, the molecular mechanism of drug solubilization in surfactant micelles is still poorly understood. In this study, a series of modern nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods are utilized to gain a molecular-level understanding of intermolecular interactions and kinetics in a model system. This approach enabled the understanding of how a PWSD, 17β-Estradiol (E2), solubilizes within a nonionic micelle system composed of polysorbate 80 (PS80). Based on one-dimensional (1D) ¹H chemical shift differences of E2 in PS80 solutions, as well as intermolecular correlations established from 1D selective nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) and two-dimensional NOE spectroscopy experiments, E2 was found to accumulate within the palisade layer of PS80 micelles. A potential hydrogen-bonding interaction between a hydroxyl group of E2 and a carbonyl group of PS80 alkane chains may allow for stabilizing E2-PS80 mixed micelles. Diffusion and relaxation NMR analysis and particle size measurements using dynamic light scattering indicate a slight increase in the micellar size with increasing degrees of supersaturation, resulting in slower mobility of the drug molecule. Based on these structural findings, a theoretical orientation model of E2 molecules with PS80 molecules was developed and validated by computational docking simulations.

Development and Validation of a Discriminative Dissolution Medium for a Poorly Soluble Nutraceutical Tetrahydrocurcumin

Objectives

The present study aimed to develop and validate a discriminative dissolution method for tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), a Biopharmaceutical Classification System class II drug, by a simple ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric analysis. The final dissolution medium composition was selected based on the solubility and stability criteria of the drug.

Materials and Methods

As a prerequisite for this, the solubility of the drug was assessed in media of different pH (1.2-7.4), and surfactant concentrations of 0.5-1.5% (w/v) sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in water, and pH 7.4 phosphate buffer. The dissolved drug concentration in each medium was quantified by UV analysis at 280 nm wavelength.

Results

The drug solubility was found to be high at a pH of 1.2 and 7.4. The media with surfactant enhanced solubility of the drug by approximately 17-fold and exhibited better sink conditions. The discriminative power of the developed dissolution medium (i.e., 1% w/v SLS in pH 7.4) was determined by performing in vitro dissolution studies of the prepared THC tablets and comparing their release profiles using fit factors (f1 and f2). The results of the fit factor comparisons made between the dissolution profiles of THC tablets proved the discriminative ability of the medium. The validation of the developed dissolution method was performed by international guidelines and the method showed specificity, linearity, accuracy, and precision within the acceptable range.

Conclusion

The proposed dissolution method was found to be adequate for the routine quality control analysis of THC, as there is no specified dissolution method for the drug in the pharmacopoeia.

Biowaiver Monograph for Immediate-Release Solid Oral Dosage Forms: Carbamazepine

Literature relevant to assessing whether BCS-based biowaivers can be applied to immediate release (IR) solid oral dosage forms containing carbamazepine as the single active pharmaceutical ingredient are reviewed. Carbamazepine, which is used for the prophylactic therapy of epilepsy, is a non-ionizable drug that cannot be considered "highly soluble" across the range of pH values usually encountered in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, evidence in the open literature suggests that carbamazepine is a BCS Class 2 drug. Nevertheless, the oral absolute bioavailability of carbamazepine lies between 70 and 78% and both in vivo and in vitro data support the classification of carbamazepine as a highly permeable drug. Since the therapeutic and toxic plasma level ranges overlap, carbamazepine is considered to have a narrow therapeutic index. For these reasons, a BCS based biowaiver for IR tablets of carbamazepine cannot be recommended. Interestingly, in nine out of ten studies, USP dissolution conditions (900 mL water with 1% SLS, paddle, 75 rpm) appropriately discriminated among bioinequivalent products and this may be a way forward to predicting whether a given formulation will be bioequivalent to the comparator product.

Logic of Selecting Suitable Dissolution Parameters in New Drug Formulations Based on A BCS Approach

Since the biopharmaceutical quality of generic drug formulations depends on the quality of the reference products and also information about the in-vitro release performance of drugs under different conditions is scarce in the literature, a dissolution study of four reference tablets was performed. Each drug was representative of one Class of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System. The in-vitro release performance of propranolol-HCl, carbamazepine, ranitidine-HCl, and metronidazole was evaluated using a USP basket and paddle apparatus at different agitation rates (50, 75, and 100 rpm) with two doses of each drug. In all experiments, pharmacopeial dissolution media was used and the samples were taken with automatic equipment at specific times up to 60 min, except for propranolol-HCl, for which the samples were taken up to 30 min. The dissolution profiles were compared by model-independent, model-dependent, and ANOVA-based comparisons. The three methods of data comparison showed that low vs. high doses were significantly different (P < 0.05), which may influence cases in which biowaivers of propranolol-HCl and ranitidine-HCl are requested. Additionally, the results showed that despite different hydrodynamic environments produced by the basket and paddle apparatus, under certain conditions, both types of equipment generated comparable in-vitro results. Variables such as the dose, agitation rate, and type of dissolution apparatus are important factors to consider in designing dissolution tests for drug products. This information can be used to test a new dosage when there is no pharmacopeial method available to perform a dissolution study. Further researches on the in-vitro release performance of reference drug products are required.

Assessment of Biopharmaceutical Performance of Supersaturating Formulations of Carbamazepine in Rats Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling

There is an overgrowing emphasis on supersaturating drug delivery systems (SDDS) with increase in number of poorly water-soluble compounds. However, biopharmaceutical performance from these formulations is limited by phase transformation to stable crystalline form due to their high-energy physical form. In the present study, in vitro kinetic solubility in water and dissolution in biorelevant medium integrated with in silico physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling was used to predict biopharmaceutical performance of SDDS of poorly water-soluble compound, carbamazepine (CBZ). GastroPlus™ with advanced compartmental absorption and transit model was used as a simulation tool for the study. Wherein, the model was developed using physicochemical properties of CBZ and disposition parameters obtained after intravenous administration of CBZ (20 mg/kg) into Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Biorelevant medium was selected by screening different dissolution media for their capability to predict oral plasma concentration-time profile of marketed formulation of CBZ. In vivo performance of SDDS was predicted with the developed model and compared to observed plasma concentration-time profile obtained after oral administration of SDDS into SD rats (20 mg/kg). The predictions, with strategy of using kinetic solubility and dissolution in the selected biorelevant medium, were consistent with observed biopharmaceutical performance of SDDS. Additionally, phase transformation of CBZ during gastrointestinal transit of formulations was evaluated and correlated with in vivo dissolution deconvoluted by Loo-Reigelman analysis.

Understanding the Potential for Dissolution Simulation to Explore the Effects of Medium Viscosity on Particulate Dissolution

Viscosity, influenced by medium composition, will affect the hydrodynamics of a dissolution system. Dissolution simulation methods are valuable tools to explore mechanistic dissolution effects, with an understanding of limitations of any simulation method essential to its appropriate use. The aims of this paper were a) to explore, using dissolution simulation, the effects of slightly viscous media on particulate dissolution and b) to illustrate approaches to, and limitations of, the dissolution simulations. A lumped parameter fluid dynamics dissolution simulation model (SIMDISSO™) was used to simulate particulate (20 and 200 μm diameter) dissolution in media with viscosity at 37 °C of water (0.7 mPa.s), milk (1.4 mPa.s) and a nutrient drink (12.3 mPa.s). Effects of flow rate, modality (constant vs pulsing), viscosity and gravitational and particle motion/sedimentation effects on simulated dissolution were explored, in the flow through and paddle apparatuses as appropriate. Shadowgraph imaging (SGI) was used to visualise particle suspension behaviour. Flow rate, hydrodynamic viscous effects and disabling particle motion and gravitational effects affected simulated dissolution of larger particles. SGI imaging revealed retention of particles in suspension in 1.4 mPa.s medium, which sedimented in water. The effect of diffusion adjusted for viscosity was significant for both particle sizes. The limitations of this 1D simulation approach would be greater for larger particles in low velocity regions of the paddle apparatus. Even slightly viscous media can affect dissolution of larger particles with dissolution simulation affording insight into the mechanisms involved, provided the assumptions and limitations of the simulation approach are clarified and understood.

Development of Extended-Release Oral Flexible Tablet (ER-OFT) Formulation for Pediatric and Geriatric Compliance: an Age-Appropriate Formulation

Development of age-appropriate formulation suitable for pediatric and geriatric patients involves various challenges. The objective of this research was to develop extended-release oral flexible tablet (ER-OFT) formulation using carbamazepine (CBZ) as model drug for pediatric and geriatric compliance. ER-microparticles of carbamazepine, a BCS class 2, and narrow therapeutic index (NTI) drug, were prepared using ethyl cellulose as matrixing polymer and hypromellose as hydrophilic pore former. Microparticles were prepared using high-shear granulator fitted with an atomizing spray system. Granulation of carbamazepine and ethyl cellulose (EC-FP) with ethanolic binder solution resulted in ER-microparticles with extended-release >16 h. Release kinetics of ER microparticles showed Higuchi model by drug diffusion and erosion. Korsemeyer-peppas release exponent "n" value 0.42 suggested Fickian diffusion. ER-OFT was prepared by blending of ER-microparticles with water-insoluble compressible aid and disintegrating agent. ER-OFT was characterized for performance characteristics and elemental impurities. As the polymer content in formulation was <10%, the size of ER-OFT was smaller compared to marketed ER-formulations. ER-OFT showed in vitro disintegration time of <30 s as per USP and dispersion time of ∼60 to 180 s in 5 to 10 mL of water. Drug release profiles of ER-microparticles and ER-OFT were comparable as f2 values were >50. In vitro dissolution of ER-OFT was comparable to the marketed ER formulation in the pH range of GIT. ER-OFT can be orally swallowed, orally disintegrating, and used as dispersible tablets. Compared to non-disintegrating type ER-formulations, ER-OFT would provide uniform drug release in GIT with low within-subject variability an essential criterion for NTI drug.

Carbamazepine

This chapter includes the aspects of carbamazepine. The drug is synthesized by the use of 5H-dibenz[b,f]azepine and phosgene followed by subsequent reaction with ammonia. Carbamazepine is generally used for the treatment of seizure disorders and neuropathic pain, it is also important as off-label for a second-line treatment for bipolar disorder and in combination with an antipsychotic in some cases of schizophrenia when treatment with a conventional antipsychotic alone has failed. Other uses may include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, phantom limb syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, borderline personality disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The chapter discusses the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics and presents various methods of analysis of this drug such electrochemical analysis, spectroscopic analysis, and chromatographic techniques of separation. It also discusses its physical properties such as solubility characteristics, X-ray powder diffraction pattern, and thermal methods of analysis. The chapter is concluded with a discussion on its biological properties such as activity, toxicity, and safety.

Overcoming sink limitations in dissolution testing: a review of traditional methods and the potential utility of biphasic systems

Objectives

The conventional dissolution test, particularly the USP apparatus I and II, remains an important tool in the armory of the pharmaceutical development scientist. For realistic dissolution characterization, sink conditions, where saturation solubility of a drug in the dissolution medium is at least three times more than the drug concentration, are critical. These conditions can be problematic to maintain with formulations containing poorly-soluble actives. This review summarizes the role of the dissolution test in the pharmaceutical industry, together with some traditional techniques/additives used to enhance solubility and facilitate the achievement of sink conditions. The biphasic dissolution system, an innovative model for the treatment of poorly-soluble species, will also be discussed.

Key findings

The biphasic dissolution model utilizes media comprising immiscible aqueous and organic layers whereby the drug, following initial aqueous dissolution, partitions into the organic layer. This step, which acts to remove all dissolved species from the aqueous layer, enables further aqueous dissolution to occur and hence the dissolution–partition cycle continues. Crucially, the aqueous layer does not saturate allowing sink conditions to be maintained and hence the experiment will, in theory, yield complete dissolution.

Summary

This review highlights important concepts regarding solubility/sink limitation and intends to provoke debate among analytical and formulation scientists as to the potential advantages, long-term development and widespread implementation of a biphasic dissolution system in drug development.

Discriminatory dissolution method for quality control measurements of carbamazepine immediate release tablets based on in vitro--in vivo investigations

The purpose of this study was to identify a discriminatory dissolution method able to predict the in vivo performance of tablet formulations designed for carbamazepine (CBZ). After evaluation of dissolution medium and rotation speed using a 2⁵ central composite design and investigation of the in vivo release behaviors in beagle dogs, the dissolution method of CBZ 100 mg tablets was validated using a USP apparatus II, at a rotation speed of 75 rpm, and 900 ml deaerated water with 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (w/v) as the dissolution medium. Dissolution profiles were evaluated by the Weibull parameters and the modified fit factor, ƒ^(1,area). The in vitro-in vivo relationship of CBZ tablets was examined. Compared with the results from the USP and Chinese Pharmacopoeia monograph, the proposed system provides a superior discriminatory method. Since the dissolution method in pharmacopoeia for CBZ tablets is unable to distinguish between a good and a bad product, the method presented here can be used for the quality control testing of CBZ tablets.

Acceleration of in vitro dissolution studies of sustained release dosage form of theophylline and in vitro-in vivo evaluations in terms of correlations

The aim of the study was to accelerate the dissolution of the sustained release dosage forms using both elevated temperature and high rpm rates. Teokap(®) SR 200 mg pellets were tested by in vitro sustained and accelerated dissolution studies using USP XXIII rotating paddle method. Sustained dissolution studies were carried out for 12 h in phosphate buffer at 37 ± 0.5°C and 50 rpm. Accelerated dissolution studies were performed for 48 min in distilled water at 90 ± 1°C and 250 rpm. The results obtained from accelerated and sustained dissolution studies were correlated using both linear and linear kinetic correlation methods by a computer program. While r (2) and maximum error between calculated and observed drug release rates were found to be 0.9129 and 15.9%, respectively, in linear correlation method, these values were observed as 0.9938 and 3.6%, respectively, in linear kinetic correlation method. In vivo plasma concentration data were obtained from six New Zealand rabbits after administration of a single dose of Teokap(®) SR 200 mg pellet. Then, the results of in vivo study were evaluated with in vitro accelerated and sustained dissolution results by applying them to in vitro-in vivo linear correlations. As a result of these correlations, it was shown that the in vitro correlation plots were very similar to the plot which was obtained by the in vivo study (f (2) = 73.81-77.11). This study suggested a way to prevent the loss of time for routine dissolution studies of sustained release preparations for quality control procedures using in vitro accelerated dissolution tests. The storage and quarantine periods of the product in process and process controls in the manufactories could be shortened by this method. Calculation of the in vivo performance of sustained release dosage forms using the results of the accelerated dissolution studies may be counted as another advantage of the method.

Utility of physiologically based absorption modeling in implementing Quality by Design in drug development

To implement Quality by Design (QbD) in drug development, scientists need tools that link drug products properties to in vivo performance. Physiologically based absorption models are potentially useful tools; yet, their utility of QbD implementation has not been discussed or explored much in the literature. We simulated pharmacokinetics (PK) of carbamazepine (CBZ) after administration of four oral formulations, immediate-release (IR) suspension, IR tablet, extended-release (XR) tablet and capsule, under fasted and fed conditions and presented a general diagram of a modeling and simulation strategy integrated with pharmaceutical development. We obtained PK parameters and absorption scale factors (ASFs) by deconvolution of the PK data for IR suspension under fasted condition. The model was validated for other PK profiles of IR formulations and used to predict PK for XR formulations. We explored three key areas where a modeling and simulation approach impacts QbD. First, the model was used to help identify optimal in vitro dissolution conditions for XR formulations. Second, identification of critical formulations variables was illustrated by a parameter sensitivity analysis of mean particle radius for the IR tablet that showed a PK shift with decreased particle radius, C (max) was increased and T (max) was decreased. Finally, virtual trial simulations allowed incorporation of inter-subject variability in the model. Virtual bioequivalence studies performed for two test formulations suggested that an in vitro dissolution test may be a more sensitive discriminative method than in vivo PK studies. In summary, a well-validated predictive model is a potentially useful tool for QbD implementation in drug development.

Optimization of preparation conditions of poly(ε-caprolactone) microspheres for controlled release of carbamazepine

Poly (?-caprolactone), PCL, is an aliphatic polyester suitable for controlled drug release due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity and high permeability to many therapeutic drugs. This study investigates the effect of the preparation parameters on the size and the morphology of the PCL microspheres and on the release profile of carbamazepine from these microspheres. The PCL microspheres were prepared using oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation method with the poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA, as the emulsion stabilizer. The influence of the stirring rate applied during the emulsion formation, the homogenization time and the emulsifier concentration on diameter and size distribution of the microspheres was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The initial emulsion was formed applying high stirring rates of 10000, 18000 and 23000 rpm, for homogenization times: 5, 10 and 15 min. The diameter was strongly influenced by the stirring rate, and the average particle size decreased from 9.2 to 2.8 ?m with the increase of the stirring rate. Increasing the amount of PVA in the water phase from 0.2 to 1 mass% improved stabilization of the oil droplets and led to a slight decrease of the average particle diameter. Drug-loaded microspheres were prepared by the same technique using different amounts of carbamazepine (10 and 15 mass%), under given conditions (1 mass% PVA, stirring rate of 18000 rpm for a period of 5 min of emulsion formation). Additionally, microspheres were prepared by applying low stirring rate of 1000 rpm with 10 and 15 mass% of the drug. The SEM analysis showed that microspheres created with 18000 rpm stirring rate, had average diameters of 3-4 ?m, and the microspheres prepared with 1000 rpm stirring rate were larger than 100 ?m. It was also observed that, in the case of the large microspheres, carbamazepine was deposited on their surfaces, while the small microspheres had smooth surfaces without observable drug crystals. The encapsulation efficiency and the release behavior of the carbamazepine were examined using high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet spectroscopy (HPLC-UV). The drug encapsulation efficiencies were in the range from 69 to 81%, and were increasing with the increase of the amount of carbamazepine in both series. In vitro release experiments were carried out in the phosphate buffer solution (pH 7) at 37?C. The release rate was influenced by the microspheres size and morphology. The larger microspheres released more carbamazepine (85-95%) compared to the small ones (50-65%) for the same period. This behavior was attributed to the different drug distribution in the PCL matrix. Different mathematical models were used to describe drug release kinetics. It was concluded that the mechanism of the carbamazepine release from the microspheres was diffusion-controlled, independent on the type of microspheres. The kinetic parameters showed that the release of carbamazepine was slower from the smaller microspheres, probably as a result of more even distribution of the drug in the polymer matrix.

Dissolution and Solubility Behavior of Fenofibrate in Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Solutions

The solubility of fenofibrate in pH 6.8 McIlvaine buffers containing varying concentrations of sodium lauryl sulfate was determined. The dissolution behavior of fenofibrate was also examined in the same solutions with rotating disk experiments. It was observed that the enhancement in intrinsic dissolution rate was approximately 500-fold and the enhancement in solubility was approximately 2000-fold in a pH 6.8 buffer containing 2% (w/v) sodium lauryl sulfate compared to that in buffer alone. The micellar solubilization equilibrium coefficient (k*) was estimated from the solubility data and found to be 30884+/-213 L/mol. The diffusivity for the free solute, 7.15x10(-6) cm2/s, was calculated using Schroeder's additive molal volume estimates and Hayduk-Laurie correlation. The diffusivity of the drug-loaded micelle, estimated from the experimental solubility and dissolution data and the calculated value for free solute diffusivity, was 0.86x10(-6) cm2/s. Thus, the much lower enhancement in dissolution of fenofibrate compared to its enhancement in solubility in surfactant solutions appears to be consistent with the contribution to the total transport due to enhanced micellar solubilization as well as a large decrease (approximately 8-fold) in the diffusivity of the drug-loaded micelle.

Comparative in vitro study of six carbamazepine products

The purpose of present study was to evaluate commercial preparations of carbamazepine tablets with respect to drug release through a defined sequence of experiments using Minitab software. The compliance of products with respect to United States Pharmacopeia (USP) dissolution test and comparison of the products with respect to drug release in different dissolution conditions is reported in the present paper. The different dissolution conditions studied include dissolution medium (1% SLS in purified water, 0.1 N HCl), volume (900 and 1,000 ml), rpm (50 rpm, 75 rpm). Studies indicated that all six products complied with USP dissolution criteria. However, the extent of influence of dissolution conditions on drug release was varied among the products. Distinct dissolution profiles were observed and there was no correlation with disintegration time in certain products. The in vitro dissolution experimentation helped in identifying the discriminatory dissolution conditions and also the formulations that were unaffected with change of dissolution variables. In summary, commercial preparations of carbamazepine vary widely in their dissolution behavior in multi dissolution run experimentation. Identifying this behavior of the products was essential as an in vitro tool for screening a good and a bad formulation.