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Tsekouras AA, Macheras P. Application of the Finite Absorption Time (F.A.T.) Concept in the Assessment of Bioequivalence. Pharm Res 2024; 41:1413-1425. [PMID: 38898304 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-024-03727-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Το formulate a methodology for the assessment of bioequivalence using metrics, which are based on the physiologically sound F.A.T. CONCEPT METHODS The equations of the physiologically based finite time pharmacokinetic models for the one-and two-compartment model with one and two input stages of absorption were solved to derive metrics for the extent and rate of absorption. Simulated data were used to study the proper way for the estimation of metrics. A bioequivalence study was analyzed using these metrics. RESULTS The rate of drug absorption was found to be equal to the slope of the amount absorbed versus time curve. The amount of drug absorbed at the end of the absorption process, corresponding to the blood concentration at F.A.T. is an indicator of the extent of absorption. The plot of the ratio test/reference of the simulated data for the amount absorbed as a function of time becomes constant beyond the end of drug absorption from the formulation exhibiting the longer absorption. The assessment of the bioequivalence study was based on the slope of the amount absorbed versus time curve for the rate of absorption, while the estimate for the constant ratio test/reference for the amount absorbed was used for the assessment of extent of absorption. CONCLUSIONS The assessment of rate in bioequivalence studies can be based on the estimation of slope of the percent absorbed versus time curve while the constant ratio test/reference for the amount of drug absorbed is an indicator of the extent of absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios A Tsekouras
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- PharmaInformatics Unit, ATHENA Research Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Panos Macheras
- Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- PharmaInformatics Unit, ATHENA Research Center, Athens, Greece.
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Zgouro P, Katsamenis OL, Moschakis T, Eleftheriadis GK, Kyriakidis AS, Chachlioutaki K, Kyriaki Monou P, Ntorkou M, Zacharis CK, Bouropoulos N, Fatouros DG, Karavasili C, Gioumouxouzis CI. A floating 3D printed polypill formulation for the coadministration and sustained release of antihypertensive drugs. Int J Pharm 2024; 655:124058. [PMID: 38552754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Polypharmacy is a common issue, especially among elderly patients resulting in administration errors and patient inconvenience. Hypertension is a prevalent health condition that frequently leads to polypharmacy, as its treatment typically requires the co-administration of more than one different Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API's). To address these issues, floating hollow torus-shaped dosage forms were developed, aiming at providing prolonged gastric retention and sustained drug release. The dosage forms (polypills) containing three anti-hypertensive API's (diltiazem (DIL), propranolol (PRP) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) were created via Fused Deposition Modelling 3D printing. A multitude of the dosage forms were loaded into a capsule and the resulting formulation achieved prolonged retention times over a 12-hour period in vitro, by leveraging both the buoyancy of the dosage forms, and the "cheerios effect" that facilitates the aggregation and retention of the dosage forms via a combination of surface tension and shape of the objects. Physicochemical characterization methods and imaging techniques were employed to investigate the properties and the internal and external structure of the dosage forms. Furthermore, an ex vivo porcine stomach model revealed substantial aggregation, adhesion and retention of the 3D printed dosage forms in porcine stomach. In vitro dissolution testing demonstrated almost complete first-order release of PRP and DIL (93.52 % and 99.9 %, respectively) and partial release of HCTZ (65.22 %) in the 12 h timeframe. Finally, a convolution-based single-stage approach was employed in order to predict the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of the API's of the formulation and the resemblance of their PK behavior with previously reported data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Zgouro
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Orestis L Katsamenis
- μ-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Rd, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Thomas Moschakis
- Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios K Eleftheriadis
- Pharmacare Premium Limited, R&D Department, HHF003 Hal Far Industrial Estate, Birzebbugia BBG3000, Malta
| | - Athanasios S Kyriakidis
- Pharmacare Premium Limited, R&D Department, HHF003 Hal Far Industrial Estate, Birzebbugia BBG3000, Malta
| | - Konstantina Chachlioutaki
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Kyriaki Monou
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Marianna Ntorkou
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Greece
| | - Constantinos K Zacharis
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Bouropoulos
- Department of Materials Science,University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Patras,Greece; Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute of Chemical Engineering and High Temperature Chemical Processes, Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitrios G Fatouros
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christina Karavasili
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Christos I Gioumouxouzis
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Simitopoulos A, Tsekouras A, Macheras P. Coupling Drug Dissolution with BCS. Pharm Res 2024; 41:481-491. [PMID: 38291164 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-024-03661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to develop a Temporal Biopharmaceutic Classification System (T-BCS), linking Finite Dissolution Time (F.D.T.) and Mean Dissolution Time (M.D.T.) for Class I/III drugs and Mean Dissolution Time for saturation (M.D.T.s.) for Class II/IV drugs. METHODS These parameters are estimated graphically or by fitting dissolution models to experimental data and coupled with the dose-to-solubility ratio (q) for each drug normalized in terms of the actual volume of dissolution medium (900 mL). RESULTS Class I/III drugs consistently exhibited q values less than 1, aligning with expectations based on their solubility, while some Class II/IV drugs presented a deviation from anticipated q values, with observations of q < 1. This irregularity was rendered to the dissolution volume of 250 mL used for biopharmaceutical classification purposes instead of 900 mL applied as well as the dual classification of some sparingly soluble drugs. Biowaivers were also analyzed in terms of M.D.T., F.D.T. estimates and the regulatory dissolution time limits for rapidly and very-rapidly dissolved drugs. CONCLUSIONS The T-BCS is useful for establishing correlations and assessing the magnitude of M.D.T., F.D.T., or M.D.T.s. for inter- and intra-class comparisons of different drugs and provide relationships between these parameters across all the models that were utilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony Simitopoulos
- Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Tsekouras
- Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- PharmaInformatics Unit, ATHENA Research Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Panos Macheras
- Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- PharmaInformatics Unit, ATHENA Research Center, Athens, Greece.
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