Orally disintegrating tablet of novel salt of antiepileptic drug: Formulation strategy and evaluation

Pyrimethamine 3D printlets for pediatric toxoplasmosis: design, pharmacokinetics, and anti-toxoplasma activity

OBJECTIVES

The focus of the present research is to develop printlet formulations of pyrimethamine (PMT).

METHODS

Printlets formulation of PMT were developed by screening design by varying laser scanning speed, Kollidon® VA 64, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and disintegrant.

RESULTS

Laser scanning speed, Kollidon® VA, and disintegrant had statistically significant effect on hardness, disintegration time, and/or dissolution (p < 0.05). Dissolution was almost 100% in 30 min. X-ray powder diffraction indicated partial amorphous transformation of the crystalline drug. Pharmacokinetic and anti-toxoplasma activity profiles of the printlets and compressed tablets were superimposable with no statistical difference (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Clinical performance of the printlets would be similar to the compressed tablets.

Oral drug delivery strategies for development of poorly water soluble drugs in paediatric patient population

Selecting the appropriate formulation and solubility-enabling technology for poorly water soluble drugs is an essential element in the development of formulations for paediatric patients. Different methodologies and structured strategies are available to select a suitable approach and guide formulation scientists for development of adult formulations. However, there is paucity of available literature for selection of technology and overcoming the challenges in paediatric formulation development. The need for flexible dosing, and the limited knowledge of the safety of many formulation excipients in paediatric subjects, impose significant constraints and in some instances require adaptation of the approaches taken to formulating these drugs for the adult population. Selection of the best drug delivery system for paediatrics requires an efficient, systematic approach that considers a drug's physical and chemical properties and the targeted patient population's requirements. This review is a step towards development of a strategy for the design of solubility enhancing paediatric formulations of highly insoluble drugs. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of different approaches and strategies to consider in order to assist development of paediatric formulation for poorly water-soluble drugs with the provision of examples of some marketed products. In addition, it provides recommendations to overcome the range of challenges posed by these strategies and adaptations of the adult approach/product presentation required to enable paediatric drug development and administration.

Orodispersible tablets for pediatric drug delivery: current challenges and recent advances

INTRODUCTION

Child appropriate dosage forms are indispensable in modern medicine and are a prerequisite for successful pediatric drug therapy. For years, experts have called for a paradigm shift, from liquid dosage forms to novel oral solid dosage forms. This review aims to shed light on recent developments in Orodispersible tablets (ODTs) and mini-tablets (ODMTs).

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on the presentation and critical discussion of current challenges as well as recent advances in ODTs for pediatric drug delivery. Highlighted aspects are the evidence for acceptability by children, e.g. in comparison to other dosage forms, and limitations given by tablet size at different ages, as well as advances in special ODT formulations (taste masking, modified release, enabling formulations).

EXPERT OPINION

It is the authors' belief that OD(M)Ts have significant potential as dosage forms in pediatric therapy that has not yet been fully exploited. The reasons for this are, first, that the number of direct acceptance studies is extremely low and the resulting knowledge is therefore rather anecdotal. Despite the high relevance, there seems to be reluctance both in the therapeutic use and conduction of respective studies in children. However, if one combines the knowledge from the few existing studies, surveys, and from approved products, it becomes apparent that so far there is no evidence on limitations of the use of ODTs in pediatric patients.

Taste Masking Study Based on an Electronic Tongue: the Formulation Design of 3D Printed Levetiracetam Instant-Dissolving Tablets

Purpose

Proper taste-masking formulation design is a critical issue for instant-dissolving tablets (IDTs). The purpose of this study is to use the electronic tongue to design the additives of the 3D printed IDTs to improve palatability.

Methods

A binder jet 3D printer was used to prepare IDTs of levetiracetam. A texture analyzer and dissolution apparatus were used to predict the oral dispersion time and in vitro drug release of IDTs, respectively. The palatability of different formulations was investigated using the ASTREE electronic tongue in combination with the design of experiment and a model for masking bitter taste. Human gustatory sensation tests were conducted to further evaluate the credibility of the results.

Results

The 3D printed tablets exhibited rapid dispersion (<30 s) and drug release (2.5 min > 90%). The electronic tongue had an excellent ability of taste discrimination, and levetiracetam had a good linear sensing performance based on a partial least square regression analysis. The principal component analysis was used to analyze the signal intensities of different formulations and showed that 2% sucralose and 0.5% spearmint flavoring masked the bitterness well and resembled the taste of corresponding placebo. The results of human gustatory sensation test were consistent with the trend of the electronic tongue evaluation.

Conclusions

Owing to its objectivity and reproducibility, this technique is suitable for the design and evaluation of palatability in 3D printed IDT development.

Salt Engineering of Aripiprazole with Polycarboxylic Acids to Improve Physicochemical Properties

Aripiprazole (APZ) has poor physicochemical properties and bitter taste. The current study aimed to prepare salts of APZ with polycarboxylic acids (citric, malic, and tartaric acids) to improve physicochemical properties and impart sour taste to the drug. The salts were prepared by solubilization-crystallization method, and characterized by electron microscopic, spectroscopic, diffractometry, and thermal methods. The salts were assessed for pH solubility, pH-stability, dissolution, and solid-state stability. Fourier transformed infrared, X-ray powder diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry data indicated formation of new solid phases. APZ and the salts exhibited pH-dependent solubility. The pH solubility curve shape was inverted "V," inverted "W," and inverted "U" for APZ, APZ-Citrate, and APZ-Malate and APZ-Tartrate, respectively. Compared to APZ, the solubility of salts at pH 4, 5, and 6 was 3.6-7.1, 23.9-31.5, and 143.4-373.3 folds of APZ. Increase in solubility in water by citrate, malate, and tartrate salts was 5562.8, 21,284.7, and 22,846.7 folds of APZ. The salt formation also leads to an increase in rate and extent of dissolution. The dissolution extent was 3.5 ± 0.5, 71.3 ± 1.2, 80.1 ± 6.2, and 86.1 ± 1.1% for APZ, APZ-Citrate, APZ-Malate, and APZ-Tartrate, respectively. Liquid and solid-state stabilities of the salts were comparable to APZ. In conclusion, salts of APZ with polycarboxylic acids improved solubility, and dissolution, and impart sour taste, which may improve palatability of the drug.

The use of electronic tongue and sensory panel on taste evaluation of pediatric medicines: a systematic review

The palatability of medications is an essential factor for children's adherence to drug treatment. Several methods for drug taste assessment have been developed. The aim of this review is to explore the literature reports of the main methods for the evaluation of medicines taste, named electronic tongue (e-tongue, in vitro) and human sensory panel. A systematic search was performed up to March 2020 and a total of 88 articles were selected. The e-tongue (57.5%) has been more frequently described than the sensory panel (10.3%), while some articles (32.2%) used both techniques. 74.7% of the articles mentioned 'pediatric', 'paediatric' or 'children' in the text, but only 19.5% developed formulations targeting pediatric audience and sensory testing in children is rarely seen. The e-tongue has predominance of use in the taste evaluation of pediatric medicines probably since it is fast, easy to perform and risk free, besides presenting less imprecise data and no fatigue. The human panel is more realistic, despite its intrinsic variability. In this sense, it is proposed the use of e-tongue as a fast way to select the most promising sample(s) and, after that, the sensory panel should be applied in order to confirm the taste masking.

Formulation Optimization of Selective Laser Sintering 3D-Printed Tablets of Clindamycin Palmitate Hydrochloride by Response Surface Methodology

The aims of the current study were to develop and evaluate clindamycin palmitate hydrochloride (CPH) 3D-printed tablets (printlets) manufactured by selective laser sintering (SLS). Optimization of the formulation was performed by studying the effect of formulation and process factors on critical quality attributes of the printlets. The independent factors studied were laser scanning speed, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and lactose monohydrate (LMH) concentration. The responses measured were printlets weight, hardness, disintegration time (DT), and dissolution in 30 min. The printlets were characterized for content uniformity, chemical interactions, crystallinity, drug distribution, morphology, and porosity. The laser scanning speed showed statistically significant effects on all the studied dependent responses (p < 0.05). MCC showed statistically significant effects on hardness, DT, and dissolution (p < 0.05), while LMH showed statistically significant effect on hardness and dissolution (p < 0.05). The model was validated by an independent formulation, and empirical values were in close agreement with model-predicted values. X-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry data suggested a decrease in crystallinity of the LMH in the printlets. X-ray micro-CT scanning showed porous microstructure of the printlets with a porosity 24.4% and 31.1% for the printlets printed at 200 and 300 mm/s laser speed, respectively. In summary, the SLS method provides an opportunity to fabricate customized dosage forms as per patients' need.

Investigation of Oral Preparation That Is Expected to Improve Medication Administration: Preparation and Evaluation of Oral Gelling Tablet Using Sodium Alginate

We investigated the preparation of a gelling tablet that swells and forms a gel upon absorbing water, and hence would be easy for patients to swallow. We prepared naked tablets and compressed coated tablets by the direct tableting or wet granule-compression methods, using the commonly prescribed drug acetaminophen (AA) and sodium alginate (AG) as a thickening agent. The tablets quickly absorbed water, had favorable gelling properties, low adhesiveness, appropriate drug dissolution profile, and at the same time, were easy to swallow. In the case of naked tablets, water absorption increased upon granulation, but gelling of AG interfere when AA and AG were present together. There was no change in the adhesiveness, and more than 30 min were required to achieve a 25% dissolution ratio. Compressed coated tablets that were made with AA in the inner layer and granulated AG in the outer layer showed improved dissolution behavior, it was about 90% dissolution ratio in 30 min, owing to the water absorption property of AG, and decreased adhesiveness. In this case, there was a difference in the outer layer thickness. As the outer layer amount increased, dissolution slowed, but it did not depend on the compression pressure. Our gelling tablet can be prepared by using AA (main drug) in the inner layer and an appropriate thickness of granulated AG in the outer layer of compressed coated tablets.

Development and optimization of a meloxicam/β-cyclodextrin complex for orally disintegrating tablet using statistical analysis

The purpose of this research was to develop an inclusion complex of meloxicam (MEL)/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) incorporated into an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), using statistical analysis to optimize the ODT formulation based on a quality by design (QbD) approach. MEL/β-CD complexation was performed by kneading, co-precipitation and spray drying methods under different molar ratios. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis were utilized to evaluate the complexes. A central composite design (α = 2) was applied to optimize and assess the influence of Primojel, Primellose and crushing strength (CS) as independent variables on tablet friability, disintegration behavior, wicking properties and drug release. The spray drying method induced formation of an amorphous complex and enhanced solubility and drug release of MEL. Furthermore, a QbD-based statistical analysis was successfully utilized to optimize the ODT formulation. Primojel, Primellose and CS showed unique main effects and interactions at different levels. CS was the dominant factor, affecting friability, disintegration behavior and drug release, while wicking properties were affected by Primojel and its interaction with Primellose. Therefore, according to the overlay plot, CS was dominant factor in determining the optimum region based on a QbD approach.

Improvement of Meloxicam Solubility Using a β-Cyclodextrin Complex Prepared via the Kneading Method and Incorporated into an Orally Disintegrating Tablet

Purpose: The aim of this research was to formulate and develop an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) that incorporated a MEL/β-CD complex, using a quality by design (QbD) approach to enhance solubility and drug release. Methods: Multiple regression linear analysis was conducted to develop the kneading process and ODT formulation. Mixing time and amount of solvent were used as independent variables in kneading process optimisation, while the superdisintegrants were used to obtain the desired formulation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were performed for complex characterization. Results: MEL/β-CD complexation was successful in enhancing MEL solubility. The results suggest that increasing the amount of solvent and mixing time enhances drug loading and drug release. However, increased solvent amounts present the problem of removing the solvent. Primojel and Polyplasdone had a significant effect on the water wicking and tablet disintegration process (p<0.05), although Polyplasdone negatively affected tablet hardness. Both an optimized KN process and ODT formulation were obtained using a QbD approach. Conclusion: Incorporation of the MEL/β-CD complex during ODT formulation using the QbD approach serves as a model for ODT product development, with optimal product performance based on the specification of quality target product profiles. To understand more specific phenomena, one point in the middle of the design for each factor should be added to more powerfully estimate this effect and avoid the lack of estimate due to an inadequate equation.

Preparation and evaluation of gelling granules to improve oral administration

We investigated the preparation of oral granules that are solid when stored and that will swell and gel via water absorption, to address problems experienced by patients when taking medication. Important physical properties of gelling granules include elasticity that is normally smooth, quick water absorption and swelling properties that allow easy swallowing. We selected gelatin (GEL), succinylated gelatin (SUC-GEL) and ι-carrageenan (CAR) as matrix polymers that can undergo gelation at room temperature or at cold temperatures. Saccharide and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were added to prepare the experimental granules. The best matrix gelling granule was SUC-GEL. When xylitol (XYL), sorbitol (SOR) and maltitol (MAL) were added, elasticity was improved, and PEG improved the granule's water absorption behavior, which is an important element involved in gelation. The best granules were prepared by selecting SUC-GEL as the matrix and adding a small amount of PEG and XYL in amounts equal to that of SUC-GEL.

Understanding pharmaceutical quality by design

This review further clarifies the concept of pharmaceutical quality by design (QbD) and describes its objectives. QbD elements include the following: (1) a quality target product profile (QTPP) that identifies the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the drug product; (2) product design and understanding including identification of critical material attributes (CMAs); (3) process design and understanding including identification of critical process parameters (CPPs), linking CMAs and CPPs to CQAs; (4) a control strategy that includes specifications for the drug substance(s), excipient(s), and drug product as well as controls for each step of the manufacturing process; and (5) process capability and continual improvement. QbD tools and studies include prior knowledge, risk assessment, mechanistic models, design of experiments (DoE) and data analysis, and process analytical technology (PAT). As the pharmaceutical industry moves toward the implementation of pharmaceutical QbD, a common terminology, understanding of concepts and expectations are necessary. This understanding will facilitate better communication between those involved in risk-based drug development and drug application review.