Evaluation of Dantrolene Granules Extemporaneously Reformulated from Capsules in a Pharmacy

Dantrolene capsule, an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of spasticity, is administered to children who cannot swallow the capsule after reformulation into a powder. The powdered drug can alter the specified dosage and it is also difficult to dispense the powdered formulation because of its bulky and sticky nature. To resolve these problems, we reformulated dantrolene capsules into granules using a centrifugal planetary mixer in the pharmacy. The granules containing lactose-cornstarch, D-mannitol, or microcrystalline cellulose as a diluent were examined to determine particle size distribution, flowability, drug content uniformity, and disintegration time. The granules with microcrystalline cellulose were superior to the other forms, owing to their smaller size, good drug content uniformity, and rapid disintegration. We further investigated the usability of the granules in the dispensing procedure (dividing and packing) and in the dosing process (retrieval from package) using the powders as controls. The deviation of the divided amount and loss on dosing were reduced relative to the powders. In addition, drug dissolution properties and storage stability for 12 months were the same as those of the powders. Therefore, we concluded that dantrolene granules are excellent alternatives as an extemporaneous preparation in pharmacies.

Physicochemical stability of captopril and enalapril extemporaneous formulations for pediatric patients

The prevalence of hypertension among children has been increasing. Community and Hospital Pharmacists are often challenged to provide an oral liquid extemporaneous formulation for pediatric patients, because there are no appropriate dosage drugs to the specific needs of the child. The objective of this study is to choose and develop suitable pediatric extemporaneous formulations for captopril and enalapril maleate and to determine their physicochemical stability. A survey was carried out to evaluate the extent of dispensation of these drugs in Hospitals in Spain. Stability studies of formulations have been studied according to ICH normative at 5, 25 and 40 °C. Three samples from each temperature were withdrawn and assessed for stability on days 0, 15, 30, 50 and 90 using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) mass spectrometer assay. Rheological studies were carried out to ensure the maintenance of the physical characteristics of these non-Newtonian fluids. Captopril and enalapril maleate formulations used the pure drug and were stable during 50 days at 5 °C. We have developed easy antihypertensive oral liquid extemporaneous formulations for pediatric patients with physical and chemical stability higher than those provided by the majority of Hospitals.

The development and stability assessment of extemporaneous pediatric formulations of Accupril

Quinapril, the active ingredient in Accupril tablets, is an ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension. Quinapril is unstable in aqueous solution and therefore the development of a liquid formulation is a significant challenge. Previous studies show the rate of degradation of quinapril into its two major degradants to be pH dependent, indicating the parent compound to be most stable in the narrow pH range of 5.5-6.5. Accupril (20 mg) and readily available pharmaceutical components were combined to generate three formulations that are stable for at least 28 days, possess acceptable appearance, and are palatable to pediatric patients. To combat the presence of magnesium carbonate in the Accupril tablets, which increase the pH of the solution above 6.5, several pharmaceutically available buffers were incorporated. Nine prototypes were developed and their characteristics evaluated after 1 week under stressed conditions. The three that most closely matched the stability criteria were chosen for a definitive stability study. A stability-indicating method was developed and validated for these studies. All three formulations met the following specifications when stored at 5 degrees C for 6 weeks; Quinapril remained >or=90% intact and the two known degradants did not reach values >or=3.0% individually or >or=5.0% combined.