Photochemical stabilities of some dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers in powdered pharmaceutical tablets

Drug administration via feeding tubes-a procedure that carries risks: systematic identification of critical factors based on commonly administered drugs in a cohort of stroke patients

PURPOSE

Drug administration via feeding tubes is considered a process with many uncertainties. This review aimed to give a comprehensive overview of data available on feeding tube application and to carry out risk assessments for drug substances commonly administered to stroke patients.

METHODS

Drugs frequently administered via feeding tubes were identified through a retrospective analysis of discharge letters from a stroke unit. Physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and stability properties of these drugs and data on drug-enteral nutrition interactions were systematically searched for in the European Pharmacopoeia, Hagers Handbook of Pharmaceutical Practice, Birchers clinical-pharmacological data compilation, and the Martindale Complete Drug Reference, as well as from databases including DrugBank, DrugDex, PubChem, Google Scholar, and PubMed.

RESULTS

Of the drugs most commonly administered via feeding tubes in the present stroke patient cohort, bisoprolol, candesartan, and ramipril could be considered the least critical due to their overall favourable properties. Acetylsalicylic acid, amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, omeprazole and esomeprazole, simvastatin, and torasemide pose risks based on pH or light-dependent instability or proposed food effects. The most critical drugs to be administered via feeding tubes are considered to be furosemide, levodopa, and levothyroxine as they show relevant instabilities under administration conditions and substantial food effects; the latter two even possess a narrow therapeutic index. However, little information is available on drug-tube and drug-formula interactions.

CONCLUSION

Feeding tube administration of medications turned out to be a highly complex process with several unmet risks. Therefore, investigations that systematically assess these risk factors using clinically relevant model systems are urgently needed.

Photostability evaluation of manidipine tablets and structural determination of its photoproducts

Manidipine (MP) is a dihydropyridine drug, which is treated for the reduction of high blood pressure. The aim of this study is to clarify the photochemical behavior of MP in the case of ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation for MP tablets (Calslot® tablets). The tablets and its altered forms (powders and suspensions) were UV-irradiated using a black light, and residual amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Due to the photoproducts of MP were detected in HPLC chromatograms, the elucidation of their chemical structures was carried out utilizing electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). As a result, APIs in Calslot® tablets were almost completely photodegraded in the case that Calslot® tablets were suspended in an aqueous media along with the generation of some MP photoproducts. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis clarified the chemical structures of three MP photoproducts, indicating that they were a pyridine analogue, benzophenone and a hydrolysate. Benzophenone was a main MP photoproduct. It was possible that MP might be firstly oxidized to form its pyridine analogue, followed by the oxidation of a dimethyl methylene moiety. This moiety seemed to be eliminated as a benzophenone, and the cleavage of an ester bond of the residual moiety resulted in the generation of a hydrolysate. Finally, toxicological potencies of MP and its photoproducts were predicted in silico toxicity evaluation, suggesting some of biological effects of the photoproducts might be altered compared with MP.

Changes in Tablet Color Due to Light Irradiation: Photodegradation of the Coating Polymer, Hypromellose, by Titanium Dioxide

The color of the tablets and capsules produced by pharmaceutical companies is important from the perspectives of product branding and counterfeiting. According to some studies, light can change tablet color during storage. In this study, tablets comprising amlodipine besylate (AB), a well-known light-sensitive drug, were coated with commonly used coating materials and exposed to light. Compared to the tablets that were not exposed to light, the color of those exposed to light changed over time. In fact, a faster and more pronounced color change was observed in the tablets exposed to light; however, the amount of AB did not decrease significantly in these tablets. The coating materials and their amounts were varied to clarify the materials involved in the color change. Based on the results, titanium dioxide and hypromellose may be involved in the color change process. As titanium dioxide is a photocatalyst, it may induce or promote chemical changes in hypromellose upon light irradiation. Overall, care should be exercised during selection of the coating polymer because titanium dioxide may promote photodegradation of the coatings while protecting the tablet's active ingredient from light.

Photodegradation profiling of nitrendipine: evaluation of active pharmaceutical ingredient, tablets and its altered forms

Nitrendipine (NTR) is a dihydropyridine drug, which is well-known as a photodegradable pharmaceutical. However, the photochemical reaction of NTR has not been evaluated in detail from now. In this study, we perform the photodegradation profiling of NTR for the elucidation of its photochemical behavior. NTR amounts during ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation were monitored using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). NTR was photodegraded almost completely within 24 h along with the generation of some photoproducts. Structural determination of two NTR photoproducts were carried out by means of electrospray ionization liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Obtained results from this study clarified one novel NTR photoproduct, a nitroso pyridine analogue, in addition to a pyridine analogue. Furthermore, photodegradation pathway of NTR was speculated based on chemical structures of NTR photoproducts to clarify its photochemical behavior. It was proposed that a singlet oxygen molecule might withdraw two hydrogen radicals resulting in the form of a pyridine analogue, and the following reduction of its nitro group might produce a nitroso pyridine analogue. Finally, we evaluated the photostability of NTR tablets and its altered forms, indicating that the change of the dosage form led to a decrease of the photostability of NTR tablets. The obtained results will be helpful for the additional research to evaluate the effect of NTR photodegradation on its own biological activities.

Evaluation of photostability of azelnidipine tablets and structure determination of its photoproducts

Photo-exposure has a crucial effect on the natures of photosensitive pharmaceuticals in addition to their contents in medicines through the photodegradation. Generated photoproducts might be more bioactive and contribute to the expression of adverse side effects. This study aimed to clarify the photochemical behavior of medicines of azelnidipine, which is a member of dihydropyridine antihypertensive drugs, by the evaluation of its photostability and the determination of chemical structures of generated photoproducts. Calblock® tablets and its altered forms (powders and suspensions) were UV-irradiated by a black light. Residual amounts of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography. The chemical structures of two photoproducts were determined by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. API of Calblock® tablets was photodegraded with the generation of several photoproducts. Its photodegradability was more significant when Calblock® tablets were crushed or suspended. Structural determination revealed that two photoproducts were benzophenone and a pyridine derivative. It was speculated that these photoproducts were generated by the elimination of diphenyl methylene radical and additional chemical reaction including oxidation and hydrolysis. Azelnidipine was photosensitive and its photodegradation in Calblock® tablets was promoted by the change of the dosage form. This difference might be derived from the light emission efficiency. This study suggests that API contents of Calblock® tablets might decrease when tablets or its altered forms are exposed to sunlight irradiation with the generation of benzophenone, which is a toxicological potent.

Structure Determination of Felodipine Photoproducts in UV-Irradiated Medicines Using ESI-LC/MS/MS

Dihydropyridine drugs are well known as photodegradable pharmaceuticals. Herein, we evaluate the photostability of felodipine (FL) medicine (Splendil^® (SPL) tablets) and its altered forms (powders and suspensions). FL is a type of dihydropyridine drug, but its photochemical behavior is unknown. FL contents after ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation for 24 h were monitored using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Values of the residual amounts of FL in UV-irradiated SPL powders and suspensions were 32.76 ± 4.88% and 0.79 ± 0.74%, respectively, with the generation of two photoproducts (FL photoproduct 1 and 2). To identify the chemical structures of these photoproducts, electrospray ionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (ESI-LC/MS/MS) analysis was performed. Based on their mass-to-charge ratio values and fragment patterns, it was proposed that FL photoproduct 1 was a pyridine derivative and FL photoproduct 2 was an FL dimer. Interestingly, generation rates of FL photoproduct 1 and 2 were dependent on the presence of the aqueous media. The photodimerization of FL was induced in UV-irradiated SPL suspensions. This is the first report evaluating the photostability of SPL tablets and its altered forms and estimating FL photoproducts induced by UV irradiation in the formulation of SPL.

Photokinetics of Dacarbazine and Nifedipine under polychromatic light irradiation and their application as new reliable actinometers for the ultraviolet range

The photokinetic behaviour of drugs driven by polychromatic light is an area of pharmaceutics that has not received a lot of attention. Most often, such photokinetic data is treated by thermal kinetic models (i.e., the classical 0th-, 1st- or 2nd-order equations). Such models were not analytically derived from the rate-laws of the photodegradation reactions. Polychromatic light kinetic modelling is hence of importance, as a means to providing adequate toolkits and metrics. This paper aims at proposing two reliable drug-actinometers useful for polychromatic UVA range. The general actinometric methodology offered here is also useful for any drugs/materials obeying a primary photoprocess where both reactant and photoproduct absorb the incident light, of the \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$AB{(1\Phi )}_{{\varepsilon }_{B}\ne 0}$$\end{document}AB(1Φ)εB≠0 type. The present method has been consolidated by the η-order kinetics. This framework further demonstrated the lamp-specificity of actinometers. Overall, Dacarbazine and Nifedipine photodegradations obeyed η-order kinetics, and stand as effective actinometers that can be recommended for the ICH Q1b photostability testing.

Comprehensive degradation profiling and influence of different oxidizing reagents on tinoridine hydrochloride: Structural characterization of its degradation products using HPLC and HRMS

RATIONALE

Stress testing on tinoridine hydrochloride was carried out using a multidimensional approach. This included different conditions: hydrolytic (acidic, alkaline, and neutral conditions), different oxidative reagents, thermal, photolytic conditions, HPLC method development, and structural elucidation using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). It provides the basis for quality control of tinoridine hydrochloride and its derivatives during storage conditions.

METHODS

The tinoridine hydrochloride was subjected to a variety of stress conditions. A gradient reversed-phase HPLC method was developed on a X-Bridge C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) to separate all the degradation products (DPs). HRMS studies have been performed to elucidate the structure of DPs.

RESULTS

HPLC-PDA study revealed that significant degradation products were formed in hydrolytic, AIBN (radical initiator at 40°C), thermal, and solid-state photolight stress conditions, but the drug was stable under oxidative conditions (H₂ O_2, Fenton's reagent at room temperature and ferric chloride at 40°C). The structure of degradation products was elucidated, and mechanism of their formation was explained.

CONCLUSION

Stress study was successfully carried out as per ICH Q1A (R2) guideline on tinoridine hydrochloride. A total of six new degradation products were characterized, DP 2 and DP 6 formed by the effect of co-solvent. This study provides the scientifically sound basis for quality monitoring and storage conditions of tinoridine hydrochloride.

Montmorillonite promoted photodegradation of amlodipine in natural water via formation of surface complexes

The photolysis of amlodipine (AML) as a ubiquitous pollutant in natural water has been extensively studied. Montmorillonite (MMT), a major component of suspended particles in surface aquifers, plays key roles in the natural transportation and transformation of organic contaminants in the environment. However, literature has scarcely focused on whether and how suspended particles affect the phototransformation of AML. This study systematically investigated the phototransformation behavior of AML in MMT suspensions under simulated sunlight. The results obtained showed that MMT significantly enhanced the photolysis of AML. The photodegradation of AML in 0.05 g/L MMT suspension reached 92.2 % after 3 h irradiation under the simulated sunlight. The photodecomposition followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic with a rate constant of 0.803 h^-1 in the presence of 0.05 g/L MMT, which is about 19 times larger than that in the absence of MMT (0.0421 h^-1). Further mechanistic investigation suggested that MMT accelerated the photolysis of AML by the formation of surface complexes between cationic amino groups of AML and the negatively charged sites on MMT surface, which greatly facilitated light absorption and electron transfer for the production of cationic radical AML^+·. Meanwhile, the hydroxyl radicals generated by irradiated MMT also played an important role in the photocatalytic degradation of AML. The probable photodegradation pathways of AML in MMT suspension further supported the proposed mechanisms. The toxicity evaluation of phototransformation products of AML with ECOSAR program indicated that photolysis could reduce its potential threats. These findings reveal an important and previously overlooked phototransformation mechanisms of AML in the presence of MMT clays, which is of importance in assessing the environmental fate of other similar organic contaminants.

Photochemical stability of warfarin potassium in powdered pharmaceutical tablets

BACKGROUND

Warfarin potassium (Wf) commercial tablets originally formulated for adults are ground before administration to pediatric patients and elderly patients with dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the effect of tablet grinding on the photostability of four types of commercial Wf tablets and predicted the photostability of the tablet powders by chemometric analysis.

METHODS

The photodegradation of Wf content was evaluated by reversed-phase column high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet (HPLC-UV).

RESULTS

The bulk Wf powder was relatively photostable, whereas ground Wf tablets underwent substantial photodegradation. The photostability of the ground powders of a brand-name Wf commercial tablet and three generic Wf commercial tablets was quantitatively assessed and compared. In certain cases, the Wf in all the three ground generic tablets was less photostable than in the ground brand-name tablets. After 28 days of light irradiation, the Wf content decreased to 69.79% in the brand-name tablets, while it was 31.90% in some generic tablets. To clarify the factors influencing the relative photostability in various Wf formulations, we analyzed the intermolecular interactions between the active ingredient and the excipients by partial least-squares regression analysis based on photostability screening for each additive.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that the additives light anhydrous silicic acid and povidone adversely affect the stability of Wf tablets. In addition, the light stability of ground tablets was affected considerably by their formulation.

Dissolution of amorphous nifedipine from micelle-forming carboxymethylcellulose derivatives

We show that a novel amphiphilic graft copolymer combining the biodegradability and biocompatibility of oxidized carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) with that of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), and hydrophobic dodecylamine (DDA), improves the solubility and dissolution performance of nifedipine (NIF), considered as a model hydrophobic drug. The hydrophobic components of the graft copolymer have the multiple effect of favouring micelle formation and loading. At the same time, the interaction between the hydrophobic core and NIF has the secondary effect to suppress drug crystallization, favouring its dissolution, and to increase photostability. Oxidized CMC-g-PEG-DDA micelles reached values of drug concentration, loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency as high as 340 μg mL^-1, 6.4 % and 34.1 %, respectively. Loaded micelles showed a good stability with a limited release profile at pH 1.2, whereas at pH 7.4 the swollen cores enable much higher and progressive release, that reaches 3.4 and 6.6 % after 3 and 5 h, respectively, corresponding to very competitive concentration of 34 and 66 μg mL^-1.

Protective Effect of Selected Antioxidants on Naproxen Photodegradation in Aqueous Media

A photostabilization strategy is an important aspect of quality assurance for photosensitive compounds. This study focused on the photoprotective effects of selected antioxidants including the effect of L-ascorbic acid (AA) on naproxen (NX) photodegradation in aqueous media. NX degradation during ultraviolet light (UV) irradiation and the protective effects of selected antioxidants were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The addition of AA induced the suppression of NX photodegradation, although the protective effect disappeared after AA was degraded completely. The results of the evaluations on the photoprotective effects on NX photodegradation and antioxidative activities of AA and other antioxidants showed that the protective effects of antioxidants are dependent on reducing power and photostability under UV irradiation. In this experiment, quercetin (QU) is the most effective antioxidant on account of the residual rate of QU after UV irradiation and the antioxidative activity in the potential antioxidant (PAO) test was significantly higher compared to other antioxidants following the higher protective effect on NX photodegradation.

1,4-Dihydropyridine Antihypertensive Drugs: Recent Advances in Photostabilization Strategies

The 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) drugs are nowadays the most used drugs in the treatment of hypertension. However, all the structures in this series present a significant sensitivity to light, leading to the complete loss of pharmacological activity. This degradation is particularly evident in aqueous solution, so much so that almost all DHP drugs on the market are formulated in solid preparations, especially tablets. The first and main process of photodegradation consists in the aromatization of the dihydropyridine ring, after which secondary processes can take place on the various substituents. A potential danger can result from the formation of single oxygen and superoxide species that can in turn trigger phototoxic reactions. Several strategies for the photostabilisation of DHP drugs have been proposed in recent years, in particular with the aim to formulate these drugs in liquid preparations, as well as to limit any toxicity problems related to light degradation. This review summarizes and describes the main aspects of the studies conducted in recent years to obtain photostable formulations of DHP drugs.

Stability of 5 mg/mL Nitrendipine Oral Suspension in Syrspend® SF PH4

Background

Nitrendipine is prescribed to children for the treatment of primary hypertension (off-label use). Available specialties (Nidrel®, Baypress® and others generic drugs) are only marketed in tablet form, which is unsuitable for pediatric use. A hospital preparation of nitrendipine oral suspension at 5 mg/mL was developed. The aim of the study was to determine physicochemical and microbiological stability of the nitrendipine oral suspension in order to set a shelf life for the preparation.

Methods

A validated high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method was developed for the assay of nitrendipine. Nitrendipine oral suspensions were prepared using 20 mg Nidrel® tablets and suspending vehicle Syrspend® SF PH4. These preparations were packaged in amber glass bottles and stored at room temperature. The physicochemical (pH, osmolality, nitrendipine concentration, macroscopic changes) and microbiological stability of the preparation was tested over 90 days. Nitrendipine concentration at day 0 was considered as 100 % and nitrendipine concentration in subsequent samples greater than 95 % were considered stable.

Results

The developed HPLC method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision and specificity. After 90 days, no significant pH and osmolality variation was observed. No microbial growth was noted. Concentrations of nitrendipine were found to be always higher 95 % of the initial concentration.

Conclusions

Nitrendipine oral suspensions 5 mg/mL are stable for at least 90 days when stored at temperature room and in amber glass bottles. This suspension is more suitable for children than tablets and allows obtaining accurate doses based on patient’s body weight.

Photostabilization studies of antihypertensive 1,4-dihydropyridines using polymeric containers

1,4-dihydropyridine antihypertensives (DHPs) are almost all dispensed in solid pharmaceutical formulations for their easy lability when exposed to light. This paper reports a study on the photoprotective effect of containers in different glassy or polymeric matrices with regard to four known DHPs when in solutions. The samples were subjected to forced degradation by means of a Xenon lamp, in accordance with the international rules on drug stability evaluation. The simultaneous determination of the drugs and their photoproducts was carried out by applying the multivariate curve resolution (MCR) methodology to the spectral data recorded along the irradiation test. This technique was able to determine the kinetic parameters and resolve the spectra of the photoproducts. The time required to reduce by 10% the concentration of the drug (t0.1) was adopted as a criterion to compare the protective ability of the containers. A significant photoprotection for all drugs tested was obtained by the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers. The best result was achieved for the felodipine solution in blue PET transparent bottle of 0.6mm thickness, reaching an almost complete stabilization up to six hours under stressing irradiation. In contrast, the glass containers, whether or not coloured, did not provide a satisfactory photoprotection of the drugs, showing in any case t0.1 values under 24min. These results can be a good opportunity to design new photoprotective pharmaceutical packaging for DHPs in liquid dosage form.

Photodegradation studies of 1,4-dihydropyridine compounds by MCR analysis on UV spectral data

Background: 1,4-Dihydropyridines (DHPs) are well-known light-sensitive compounds. Photostability studies are necessary to ensure safety in therapy. Materials & Methods: Photodegradation experiments on 15 condensed DHP derivatives were made according to the International Conference on Harmonization rules. Degradation profiles were monitored by spectrophotometry and the data were processed by multivariate curve resolution analysis. Results: The analysis of the spectral data showed the formation of a single photoproduct from two DHPs, due to the aromatization of the pyridine ring. Traces of a second photoproduct were revealed in 12 DHPs and a third photoproduct was verified only in one case. Conclusion: DHPs showed high stability when fluorine was in the position R1 of the phenyl ring or simultaneously present in R1 and R2 positions. In contrast, the presence of chlorine in R1 or R2 strongly increased the degradation.

Degradation kinetics and pathways of three calcium channel blockers under UV irradiation

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are a group of pharmaceuticals widely prescribed to lower blood pressure and treat heart diseases. They have been frequently detected in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and downstream river waters, thus inducing a potential risk to aquatic ecosystems. However, little is known about the behavior and fate of CCBs under UV irradiation, which has been adopted as a primary disinfection method for WWTP effluents. This study investigated the degradation kinetics and pathways of three commonly-used CCBs, including amlodipine (AML), diltiazem (DIL), and verapamil (VER), under UV (254 nm) irradiation. The chemical structures of transformation byproducts (TBPs) were first identified to assess the potential ecological hazards. On that basis, a generic solid-phase extraction method, which simultaneously used four different cartridges, was adopted to extract and enrich the TBPs. Thereafter, the photo-degradation of target CCBs was performed under UV fluences typical for WWTP effluent disinfection. The degradation of all three CCBs conformed to the pseudo-first-order kinetics, with rate constants of 0.031, 0.044 and 0.011 min(-1) for AML, DIL and VER, respectively. By comparing the MS(2) fragments and the evolution (i.e., formation or decay) trends of identified TBPs, the degradation pathways were proposed. In the WWTP effluent, although the target CCBs could be degraded, several TBPs still contained the functional pharmacophores and reached peak concentrations under UV fluences of 40-100 mJ cm(-2).

Photoinduced Aromatization of Asymmetrically Substituted 1,4-Dihydropyridine Derivative Drug Cilnidipine

The antihypertensive drug Cilnidipine (1) is photolabile under UV-A light. Irradiation of a chloroform solution of Cilnidipine under aerobic and anaerobic conditions produces a common photoproduct which was isolated as 2-methoxyethyl-3-phenyl-2-propenyl pyridine dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl) pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (2). The formation of products was explained by photochemical aromatization of Cilnidipine.

LC, MS n and LC-MS/MS studies for the characterization of degradation products of amlodipine

In the present study, comprehensive stress testing of amlodipine (AM) was carried out according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Q1A(R2) guideline. AM was subjected to acidic, neutral and alkaline hydrolysis, oxidation, photolysis and thermal stress conditions. The drug showed instability in acidic and alkaline conditions, while it remained stable to neutral, oxidative, light and thermal stress. A total of nine degradation products (DPs) were formed from AM, which could be separated by the developed gradient LC method on a C₁₈ column. The products formed under various stress conditions were investigated by LC–MS/MS analysis. The previously developed LC method was suitably modified for LC–MS/MS studies by replacing phosphate buffer with ammonium acetate buffer of the same concentration (pH 5.0). A complete fragmentation pathway of the drug was first established to characterize all the degradation products using LC–MS/MS and multi-stage mass (MSⁿ) fragmentation studies. The obtained mass values were used to study elemental compositions, and the total information helped with the identification of DPs, along with its degradation pathway.

Photostability of barnidipine in combined cyclodextrin-in-liposome matrices

Background: The improvement of barnidipine photostability was investigated in cyclodextrin or liposome matrices and in appropriate combinations of these matrices. These supramolecular systems allowed the preparation of liquid formulations, as an alternative to the current solid commercial specialties. Materials & methods: Photodegradation stressing tests were performed according to the ICH rules and monitored by derivative spectrophotometry. Optimization was evaluated in terms of drug-inclusion efficiency. Results: The photodegradation rate of barnidipine in ethanol proved rapid (residual percentage of 29.81%) after a radiation exposure of 225 kJ/m2. The residual concentrations detected for liposome and cyclodextrin complexes were 42.90 and 72.03%, respectively. The best results were obtained when the drug–cyclodextrin complex was in turn entrapped in liposomes (residual percentage of 90.78%). Conclusion: The stability of the drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposome system increased significantly with a value close to that of solid formulations whose residual percentage was 96.03%.

Modelling nifedipine photodegradation, photostability and actinometric properties

BACKGROUND

The photodegradation of drugs obeying unimolecular mechanisms such as that of nifedipine (NIF) were usually characterised in the literature by zero-, first- and second-order kinetics. This approach has been met with varying success. This paper addresses this issue and proposes a novel approach for unimolecular photodegradation kinetics. The photodegradation of the cardiovascular drug nifedipine is investigated within this framework.

METHODS

Experimental kinetic data of nifedipine photodegradation were obtained by continuous monochromatic irradiation and DAD analysis. Fourth-order Runge-Kutta calculated kinetic data served for the validation of the new semi-empirical integrated rate-law model proposed in this study.

RESULTS

A new model equation has been developed and proposed which faithfully describes the kinetic behaviour of NIF in solution for non-isosbestic irradiations at wavelengths where both NIF and its photoproduct absorb. NIF absolute quantum yield values were determined and found to increase with irradiation wavelength according to a defined sigmoid relationship. The effects of increasing NIF or excipients' concentrations on NIF kinetics were successfully modelled and found to improve NIF photostability. The potential of NIF for actinometry has been explored and evaluated. A new reaction order (the so-called Φ-order) has been identified and specifically proposed for unimolecular photodegradation reactions.

CONCLUSION

The semi-empirical and integrated rate-law models facilitated reliable kinetic studies of NIF photodegradation as an example of AB(1Φ) unimolecular reactions. It allowed filling a gap in kinetic studies of drugs since, thus far, thermal first-order or a combination of first- and zero- order kinetic equations were generally applied for drug photoreactions in the literature. Also, a new reaction order, the "Φ-order", has been evidenced and proposed as a specific alternative for photodegradation kinetics.

Photodegradation assessment of ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin in the presence of excipients from tablets by UPLC-MS/MS and DSC

Background

Ciprofloxacin (CIP), moxifloxacin (MOX), norfloxacin (NOR) and ofloxacin (OFL), are the antibacterial synthetic drugs, belonging to the fluoroquinolones group. Fluoroquinolones are compounds susceptible to photodegradation process, which may lead to reduction of their antibacterial activity and to induce phototoxicity as a side effect. This paper describes a simple, sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of CIP, MOX, NOR and OFL in the presence of photodegradation products.

Results

Chromatographic separations were carried out using the Acquity UPLC BEH C₁₈ column; (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 μm particle size). The column was maintained at 40°C, and the following gradient was used: 0 min, 95% of eluent A and 5% of eluent B; 10 min, 0% of eluent A and 100% of eluent B, at a flow rate of 0.3 mL min^-1. Eluent A: 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in water; eluent B: 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in acetonitrile. The method was validated and all the validation parameters were in the ranges acceptable by the guidelines for analytical method validation. The photodegradation of examined fluoroquinolones in solid phase in the presence of excipients followed kinetic of the first order reaction and depended upon the type of analyzed drugs and coexisting substances. Photodegradation process of analyzed drugs was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, the identification of degradation products was carried out by mass spectrometry.

Conclusion

The developed UPLC-MS/MS method enables the determination of CIP, MOX, NOR and OFL in the presence of photodegradation products and identification of photodegradation products.

Nifedipine nanoparticle agglomeration as a dry powder aerosol formulation strategy

Efficient administration of drugs represents a leading challenge in pulmonary medicine. Dry powder aerosols are of great interest compared to traditional aerosolized liquid formulations in that they may offer improved stability, ease of administration, and simple device design. Particles 1-5microm in size typically facilitate lung deposition. Nanoparticles may be exhaled as a result of their small size; however, they are desired to enhance the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs. Nanoparticles of the hypertension drug nifedipine were co-precipitated with stearic acid to form a colloid exhibiting negative surface charge. Nifedipine nanoparticle colloids were destabilized by using sodium chloride to disrupt the electrostatic repulsion between particles as a means to achieve the agglomerated nanoparticles of a controlled size. The aerodynamic performance of agglomerated nanoparticles was determined by cascade impaction. The powders were found to be well suited for pulmonary delivery. In addition, nanoparticle agglomerates revealed enhanced dissolution of the drug species suggesting the value of this formulation approach for poorly water-soluble pulmonary medicines. Ultimately, nifedipine powders are envisioned as an approach to treat pulmonary hypertension.