A novel option for dosing of proton pump inhibitors: dispersion of lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablet in water via oral syringe

‘Tablet-in-Syringe’: A Novel Dosing Mechanism for Dysphagic Patients Containing Fast-Disintegrating Tablets Fabricated Using Semisolid Extrusion 3D Printing

With the ability to fabricate personalized dosage forms and considerably shorter manufacturing time, semisolid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing has rapidly grown in popularity in recent years as a novel, versatile manufacturing method that powers a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical field. In this work, the feasibility of using SSE 3D printing to fabricate fast-disintegrating tablets (FDTs) that are pre-filled in dosing syringes was evaluated. The novel design approach, ‘tablet-in-syringe’, was aimed to ease the oral drug administration and improve the dosing accuracy for dysphagic patients. The effect of varying polymer (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E15) concentrations and printing parameters (e.g., extrusion rate) on dimensional accuracy, physicochemical properties, disintegration time, and content uniformity of 3D-printed FDTs was studied. An overall comparison of results demonstrated that the best FDT formulation among those developed was with a polymer:drug ratio (w/w) of 1:30, printed at extrusion rate of 3.5 μL/s. The diameter of printed filaments of this formulation was observed to be similar to the nozzle diameter (22G), proving that good printing accuracy was achieved. This FDTs also had the fastest disintegration time (0.81 ± 0.14 min) and a drug (phenytoin sodium, as the model drug) content uniformity that met pharmacopeial specifications. Although the flow characteristics of the dissolved formulation still need improvement, our findings suggested that the novel ‘tablet-in-syringe’ could potentially be considered as a promising fast-disintegrating drug delivery system that can be personalized and manufactured at—or close to—the point of care for dysphagic patients using SSE.

In vitro evaluation of enteral tube administration of lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablets

Lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) can be administered orally or through a nasogastric (NG) tube for patients who are unable to swallow. In addition, off-label administration through gastrostomy (G) or jejunal (J) tubes has been reported. The purpose of this study was to develop in vitro methods to assess the risk of clogging during administration of two lansoprazole ODTs through enteral feeding tubes. Feeding tubes of various compositions and geometries were selected for testing. Disintegration, sedimentation, percent recovery, acid phase dissolution testing, and particle size distribution measurements were performed. The results indicated that G tubes had the greatest risk of clogging compared to NG and J tubes. In addition, larger particles and an increased amount of insoluble excipients observed in Product B resulted in more irreversible enteral tube clogging than compared to Product A. The geometry and design of the tube also had an impact on the amount of lansoprazole recovered after enteral tube administration. Lansoprazole ODTs demonstrated acid resistance stability regardless of the water used for suspension. The in vitro methods discussed in this work could be used to evaluate in vitro equivalence and to assess the risk of delivering a drug product through an enteral feeding tube.

Use of clinical simulation centers in health professions schools for patient-centered research

INTRODUCTION

Professional practice assessment research performed in clinical simulation centers is a research method that also creates opportunity for multidisciplinary investigator collaboration.

METHODS

Nursing and pharmacy school clinical simulation laboratories at the University of Utah were used to conduct time-and-motion (TM) studies of medication dispensing and administration. Time data were then used to determine personnel and supply costs associated with different medication dosage forms and delivery methods. A case study from a completed research project describes the use of TM and activity-based costing analyses to assess medication preparation and administration time and cost differences related to three proton pump inhibitor dosage forms. Standardized doses were prepared by pharmacists or technicians and subsequently administered by nurses to a mannequin in the simulation center by seven different administration scenarios. Simulation scenarios were developed in a manner that held the independent variables constant, so that time and cost differences between dosage forms and administrations methods could be quantified.

RESULTS

A detailed example of one approach to use of simulation centers for TM studies and activity-based costing analyses is provided. The advantages of isolating processes of interest from the day-to-day complexity of patient care are shown. Results illustrate how simulations based on professional school simulation centers may be used to assess health care processes at the microlevel with potential for projection to the macrolevel.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies based on health professional schools simulation centers may offer a novel method of evaluating health care processes at the microlevel.

Comparison of the enteral and intravenous lansoprazole pharmacodynamic responses in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND

While proton pump inhibitors are frequently administered in the intensive care unit, the pharmacodynamic response of acid suppression between the enteral and intravenous (IV) route is unknown.

AIM

To compare the pharmacodynamic response between enteral and IV lansoprazole in intensive care unit patients requiring stress ulcer prophylaxis therapy.

METHODS

Adult mechanically ventilated patients were randomized to receive 72 h of daily enteral [lansoprazole oral disintegrating tablet (LODT) 30 mg mixed in 10 mL of water via a nasal gastric tube] or IV lansoprazole (30 mg over 30 min) therapy. Serial blood samples were collected after the first and third dose and analysed for pharmacokinetic parameters. Pharmacodynamic determination of intragastric pHmetry began prior to the first dose and continued for 72 h using a single channel pH microelectrode.

RESULTS

Nineteen intensive care unit patients were randomized [LODT (n = 10); IV-L (n = 9)]. LODT bioavailability was 76%. LODT maintained gastric pH > 4 longer than IV-L at both 24 h (7.4 vs. 5.9 h; P = 0.039) and 72 h (10.4 and 8.9 h; P = 0.046) and resulted in a greater average pH over the first 24 h (3.67 vs. 2.89; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Despite a lower bioavailability, enteral lansoprazole suppresses acid in intensive care unit patients to a greater extent than IV lansoprazole.

An in vitro comparison of different providers to deliver four proton pump inhibitor products through a feeding tube

BACKGROUND

It is unclear how delivery through a feeding tube compares between esomeprazole in water, lansoprazole oral disintegrating tablet in water, omeprazole/NaHCO(3) in water and simplified lansoprazole suspension.

AIM

This in vitro study compared delivery through a narrow calibre (8F) feeding tube among four proton pump inhibitors when given by skilled [nurse; (n = 8)] or unskilled [lay; (n = 8)] providers.

METHODS

Following standard instruction, subjects were observed delivering each proton pump inhibitor in a sequential, but random, fashion to evaluate administration quality and time. Delivery was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography methods and subject preferences were evaluated.

RESULTS

Delivery (%), similar between lansoprazole oral disintegrating tablet (95.7 +/- 3.2) and omeprazole/NaHCO(3) (96.1 +/- 3.0), was both greater for lansoprazole oral disintegrating tablet than esomeprazole in water (88.9 +/- 8.6; P = 0.006) or simplified lansoprazole suspension (86.1 +/- 9.5; P = 0.0001) and omeprazole/NaHCO(3) than esomeprazole in water (P = 0.004) or simplified lansoprazole suspension (P < 0.001), and was not affected by prior subject experience. Quality was higher with both omeprazole/NaHCO(3) and lansoprazole oral disintegrating tablet than simplified lansoprazole suspension. Administration was quicker for lansoprazole oral disintegrating tablet than esomeprazole in water. Subjects preferred lansoprazole oral disintegrating tablet and omeprazole/NaHCO(3).

CONCLUSIONS

When given through an in vitro feeding tube, omeprazole/NaHCO(3) and lansoprazole oral disintegrating tablet lead to greater drug delivery, improved administration quality and higher user satisfaction, than either esomeprazole in water or simplified lansoprazole suspension.

Delivery of esomeprazole magnesium through nasogastric and gastrostomy tubes using an oral liquid vehicle as a suspending agent in vitro

PURPOSE

The optimal delivery medium for esomeprazole magnesium enteric-coated pellets dispersed in various concentrations of Ora-Plus suspension through commonly used nasogastric and gastrostomy tubes using a previously used standardized in vitro protocol was studied.

METHODS

The study was conducted in two phases. In phase A, 60 size 14 French nasogastric tubes were used to compare esomeprazole pellet delivery via tap water or 30, 50, or 70% Ora-Plus concentrations (15 tubes for each). In phase B, tap water and the concentration that yielded the best pellet delivery from phase A were used with the narrower size 8 and shorter size 20 French tubes. In both phases, the appropriate volume of water was added. All capsules were assumed to have 1,240 pellets. At the end of each administration, pellet retention counts were performed.

RESULTS

The results showed excellent delivery of esomeprazole pellets using water as a medium for tube delivery. When compared with tap water as a delivery medium, no differences in pellet retention were observed when 30% and 50% Ora-Plus were used; thus, these Ora-Plus concentrations are feasible alternatives to tap water for nasogastric tube delivery of esomeprazole pellets.

CONCLUSION

Administration of esomeprazole magnesium enteric-coated pellets dispersed in tap water or Ora-Plus through size 14 French nasogastric tubes in vitro delivered over 99% of capsule contents, regardless of the Ora-Plus concentration used. For immediate bedside administration, Ora-Plus at 50% concentration is a feasible alternative to water when delivering the pellets through size 14 French tubes, while 30% Ora-Plus is an alternative to water for all tubes studied.

Proton pump inhibitor formulary considerations in the acutely ill. Part 1: Pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, and available formulations

OBJECTIVE

To review important proton pump inhibitor (PPI) pharmacologic, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic principles in acutely ill patients, compare PPI formulation options for patients unable to swallow a tablet or capsule, and provide clinicians with guidance when making hospital formulary decisions with this class of agents.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (1966-May 2005) and the Cochrane Library databases were searched using the key words proton pump inhibitor, acid suppression, peptic ulcer disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, stress ulcer prophylaxis, and critical illness. Bibliographies of cited references were reviewed, and a manual search of abstracts from recent gastroenterology, critical care, and surgery scientific meetings was completed.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included for this review.

DATA SYNTHESIS

PPIs have become a mainstay for acute acid suppression in hospitalized patients over other therapeutic options. Various commercially available PPI products are available for administration, either enterally or parenterally, to patients unable to swallow a tablet or capsule. Newer oral PPI formulations offer numerous advantages over older products. The results of studies comparing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of different PPI dosage forms and routes of administration are among the factors to consider when making formulary decisions.

CONCLUSIONS

While the introduction of new PPI products has expanded the therapeutic options for acid suppression in acutely ill patients, a number of unresolved questions remain surrounding the interchangeability of these products, the clinical significance of one PPI formulation over the other, and how oral/enteral PPI therapy should be used as step-down therapy after parenteral PPI therapy.

Proton pump inhibitors for acid suppression in the intensive care unit: Formulary considerations

PURPOSE

The rationale for limiting the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) products included in an institutional formulary, factors to consider when making formulary decisions about PPI products, the results and limitations of cost-effectiveness analyses of PPI therapy in critically ill patients, the role of clinical practice guidelines in improving PPI use in the intensive care setting, and how these guidelines can be developed are discussed.

SUMMARY

Therapeutic interchange may make it possible to limit the number of PPI products included in the formulary and reduce costs without compromising the efficacy or safety of drug therapy. The results of studies comparing the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of different PPI dosage forms and routes of administration; practical considerations; safety; and costs are among the factors to consider when making formulary decisions. Some of the newer oral PPI products offer advantages over older ones in improved palatability and ease of preparation, storage, and administration. The cost-effectiveness of intravenous (i.v.) PPIs for preventing the recurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding has been demonstrated, but the cost-effectiveness of oral therapy for this indication and both oral and i.v. therapy for preventing stress-related mucosal bleeding has not been well established.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous PPIs are cost-effective for patients at risk for the recurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding. The introduction of new oral PPI products that can be administered as a suspension has expanded the therapeutic options for critically ill patients. The use of clinical practice guidelines can optimize the use of PPIs in the intensive care setting.

Lansoprazole

Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that inactivates the H(+)/K(+)-ATPase pump in parietal cells, thus inhibiting gastric acid secretion and increasing intragastric pH. In an open-label, uncontrolled trial in children aged 1-11 years with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), treatment with lansoprazole 15 or 30 mg (depending on weight) once daily for 8-12 weeks improved symptoms compared with baseline in 76% of patients (47 of 62) based on patient diaries and healed erosive oesophagitis (confirmed endoscopically) in all 27 children who had it at baseline. In adolescents aged 12-17 years with GORD, 8 weeks' treatment with lansoprazole 15 mg (in 64 patients with non-erosive disease) or 30 mg (in 23 patients with erosive oesophagitis) once daily reduced the frequency and severity of symptoms by 63% and 69% compared with baseline, based on patient diaries. In this open-label, uncontrolled trial, 96% of evaluable patients with erosive disease (21 of 22) had mucosal healing by week 8, as confirmed by endoscopy; mucosal healing did not occur after an additional 4 weeks' treatment in one patient. Lansoprazole was generally well tolerated in children and adolescents, with the most common treatment-related adverse events being gastrointestinal events and headache.

Lansoprazole Oro-Dispersible Tablet

Lansoprazole is an H+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used for management of acid-related disorders. Lansoprazole has been reformulated as an oro-dispersible tablet (LODT) that quickly dissolves in the mouth without water. In healthy adults the safety and bioavailability of LODT 15-30 mg, taken without water or dispersed in water, were found to be comparable with those of lansoprazole 15-30 mg capsules. Moreover, the bioavailability of LODT administered without water has been found to be similar to that of water-dispersed LODT given via a nasogastric tube. In a clinical study, the vast majority of patients found the mouth feel of LODT acceptable and almost all found it easy to take. A comparison of LODT with esomeprazole in a small group of patients with non-erosive reflux disease showed similar decreases in symptoms from baseline and no significant difference between groups. In conclusion, LODT is effective, bioequivalent to the capsule formulation and acceptable to patients. LODT offers an alternative dose administration method to all patients requiring a PPI, especially those who have difficulty swallowing, and may increase patient convenience and compliance.

Taste Comparisons for Lansoprazole Strawberry-Flavoured Delayed-Release Orally Disintegrating Tablet and Ranitidine Peppermint-Flavoured Syrup in Children

OBJECTIVE

To compare the flavour and taste preferences of two acid-inhibitory therapies in children.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

104 (52 male and 52 female) healthy children aged 6-11 years participated in this phase IV single-centre, taste-test study after parental consent was obtained.

METHODS

Children were divided into two groups based upon age: group 1 included children aged 6-8 years and group 2 included children aged 9-11 years. Within each group an equal number of male and female subjects were recruited. Within each of the four strata defined by group and sex, an equal number of subjects were randomised to taste the strawberry-flavoured lansoprazole 15mg orally disintegrating tablet or the ranitidine 75mg/5mL peppermint-flavoured syrup samples in position 1. In group 1, the lansoprazole 15mg delayed-release orally disintegrating tablet was dispersed in 5mL of water, while in group 2, children gently rolled the tablet on the tongue until dissolution, before swallowing the particles. Children given the dose of lansoprazole dispersed in water (group 1) and the ranitidine dose (groups 1 and 2) were to taste it, swish it in their mouth for up to 10 seconds, and then swallow it. Children were given ambient temperature water and unsalted crackers to cleanse the palate during a 10-minute break between tastings.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

After each tasting, children rated their degree of liking on a five-point facial hedonic scale (5 = like very much, 1 = dislike very much). Product preference was recorded after the tasting of both samples.

RESULTS

Among group 1 and group 2 participants, 86.5% (45/52) and 90.4% (47/52) of children, respectively, 'liked' ('like a little' or 'like very much') the strawberry-flavoured lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablet. The proportion of children who 'liked' the peppermint-flavoured ranitidine syrup was lower than the proportion who liked lansoprazole, and the proportions were similar between the groups: 13.5% (7/52) in group 1 and 9.6% (5/52) in group 2. Children in both groups preferred the strawberry-flavoured lansoprazole delayed-release orally disintegrating tablet: 92% (95% CI 81.1, 97.8; p < 0.001) of those in group 1 and 98% (95% CI 89.7, 100.0; p < 0.001) of those in group 2.

CONCLUSION

After tasting both products, >92% of children aged from 6-11 years preferred the strawberry-flavoured lansoprazole delayed-release orally disintegrating tablet, either dissolved in a small amount of water or allowed to dissolve on the tongue, over the peppermint-flavoured ranitidine syrup.