Effect of Processing on Celecoxib and Its Solvates

Preparation and Characterization of Co-Processed Mannitol and Sorbitol Using NanoCrySP Technology

Particle engineering of excipients, at sub-particulate level using co-processing, can provide high functionality excipients. NanoCrySP technology has been recently explored as a novel approach for the generation of nanocrystalline solid dispersion of poorly soluble drugs, using spray drying process. The purpose of the present study was to generate co-processed mannitol and sorbitol (SD-CSM) using NanoCrySP technology having similar composition to commercial co-processed excipient (Compressol® SM, CP). The characterization of excipients was performed to evaluate their various physicomechanical properties. The sub-micron crystallite size of sorbitol in the matrix of mannitol was determined using the Williamson-Hall equation and Halder-Wagner equation. The reduction in crystallite size of sorbitol and mannitol, lower melting point, and lower heat of fusion of SD-CSM could be responsible for excellent compactibility, better tabletability, and comparable compressibility with respect to CP. This was confirmed by the compressibility-tabletability-compactibility (CTC) profile and Heckel plot analysis. Overall, SD-CSM generated using NanoCrySP technology improved functionalities of excipients over CP and would be useful for direct compression application.

Characterization of Prednisolone in Controlled Porosity Osmotic Pump Pellets using Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

The overall objective of this study was to demonstrate the influence of formulation and processing variables on the physical state of prednisolone (PDL) in formulations consisting of PDL, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin (CD). PDL was used as a model drug in controlled porosity osmotic pump pellet (CP-OPP) formulations, and was characterized using solid-state NMR spectroscopy and other complimentary analytical techniques. Dosage forms and the solid-state properties of drugs and excipients in a formulation may be influenced by the processing conditions used. Several processing parameters, such as amount of water used in wet granulation and subsequent drying conditions, were found to affect the solid-state transformation of PDL. In addition, the presence of excipients in the CP-OPP was observed to decrease the degree of PDL crystallinity, presumably by creating an inclusion complex with the CD. A hydrated form of PDL was created when PDL was ground with water alone; however, this form was not observed in formulated products. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy was shown to be a powerful technique for the analysis of drug formulations and investigations of the effects of processing conditions.