A Comparison of Three Methods of Estimating Displacement on an Instrumented Single Punch Machine

Compaction properties, drug release kinetics and fronts movement studies of matrices combining mixtures of swellable and inert polymers. III: effect of polymer substitution type

Theophylline radial release from cellulose derivatives with different substitution type (HPMC K4M, HPC H, MC A4M) matrix tablets has been modulated by the introduction of a new inert polymeric excipient, at different proportions (75, 50, 25%). The new polymer was hydroxypropylcellulose-methyl methacrylate (HCMMA), which was dried either in a vacuum oven (OD-HCMMA) or freeze-dried (FD-HCMMA). MC A4M and its mixtures presented the best compaction properties results, especially mixed with FD-HCMMA, according to 100% mixtures. Only high levels of HCMMA (75%) in the matrices showed interesting differences to drug release modulation. Also, at this proportion (75:25), the HPC H mixtures presented the highest differences in relation with OD or FD HCMMA respect to the other cellulose polymers. HPMC K4M and HPC H mixtures showed a combination of diffusion and erosion release mechanisms. The last one was nearly negligible in MC A4M mixtures, according with its highest diffusion rate constant values, and the absence of hydroxypropyl substituents. Only HPMC K4M mixtures presented a diffusion front that moves outwards, while HPC H and MC A4M moves inwards. The modulation of theophylline radial release was obtained using a high percentage of HCMMA, and the use of two cellulosic ethers, one of them with just one type of substituent (MC A4M or HPC H) and the other with two types of substituent (HPMC K4M). Another possibility is changing the HCMMA copolymer (OD or FD) in the 75/25 mixture with HPC.

Compaction properties, drug release kinetics and fronts movement studies from matrices combining mixtures of swellable and inert polymers. II. Effect of HPMC with different degrees of methoxy/hydroxypropyl substitution

The aim of this paper is the modification of the release behaviour of hydrophilic HPMC-based matrices of different substitution degree (E4M, F4M, K4M) by the introduction of a new inert polymeric excipient hydroxypropylcellulose-methyl methacrylate (HCMMA) at different proportions (75:25, 50:50 and 25:75). The product (HCMMA) was dried either in a vacuum oven--OD copolymers--or freeze-dried-FD copolymers. HPMC E4M formulations showed the worst compaction properties. All mixtures presented a percentage of theophylline release between 47% and 32% at 1440 min. The drying methods employed had only influence over the drug release in E4M and K4M formulations, at higher proportions of HCMMA, showing the highest release the mixtures containing OD-HCMMA. Combinations of diffusion and erosion release mechanisms were found to matrix tablets. All mixtures with F4M did not modify relaxation rate constant values of Peppas and Shalin equation (k(r)) respect to F4M 100%. However, all mixtures with K4M showed the highest k(r) values, which decreased when HCMMA proportion decreased. Only K4M mixtures showed a different diffusion front movement than the other mixtures. The modulation of theophylline monoaxial release was obtained using a high percentage of HCMMA, and HPMCs with a substantial difference of hydroxypropyl groups (F4M and K4M or E4M).

Drug release behaviour from methyl methacrylate-starch matrix tablets: effect of polymer moisture content

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the initial moisture content of the polymer on the tabletting and drug release behaviour of controlled release inert matrices elaborated with methyl methacrylate (MMA)-starch copolymers. The copolymers, obtained by free radical polymerisation and dried by two different methods (oven-drying or freeze-drying), were equilibrated at different relative humidities (0%, 25%, 50% and 75% RH) at room temperature. From these copolymers, matrix systems were directly compressed containing either a slightly water-soluble drug (anhydrous theophylline) or a freely water-soluble drug (salbutamol sulphate), and their compaction properties and in vitro dissolution profiles were evaluated. The release profiles were compared following model-independent methods, such as the Qt parameter and the similarity factor f2. Moreover, several kinetic models were employed to evaluate the possible changes in the release mechanism. For anhydrous theophylline, the initial moisture content of the copolymers did not affect the release characteristics from the inert matrices under study, and a typical Fickian diffusion mechanism was observed for the different formulations. However, in case of salbutamol sulphate, the presence of moisture might induce a fast drug dissolution, promoting the weakness of the matrix structure and hence, its partial disintegration. So, an "anomalous" mixed phenomenon of diffusion and erosion was found, influenced by the initial moisture content of the copolymer.

Drug release kinetics and fronts movement studies from methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymer matrix tablets: effect of copolymer type and matrix porosity

Several methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymers have recently been proposed as an alternative for the formulation of controlled-release matrix tablets. Copolymers were synthesised by free radical copolymerisation of methyl methacrylate with starch or cellulose derivatives and were alternatively dried by oven or freeze-drying techniques. Both the chemical composition and the drying technique were demonstrated to have a considerable influence on the physical properties of the copolymers. The present investigation was focused on the elucidation of the drug release mechanism from MMA copolymer matrices, using anhydrous theophylline as model drug. Drug release experiments were performed from free tablets. Radial drug release and fronts movement were also evaluated using special devices consisting of two Plexiglass discs joined by means of four stainless steel screws. Mathematical analysis of release data was performed using Higuchi, Korsmeyer and Peppas equations and fronts movement was investigated using a colorimetric technique. The drug release rate and the relative positions of the fronts were studied as functions of the type of copolymer and the initial porosity of the tablets. Drug release was controlled mainly by diffusion and the release rate was found to be affected by the drying method and related to the area exposed to the dissolution medium. Three distinct fronts (water uptake, complete wetting, erosion) were observed during the release process and the dynamics of fronts movement confirmed the diffusional mechanism.

The influence of carbohydrate nature and drying methods on the compaction properties and pore structure of new methyl methacrylate copolymers

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymers have recently been proposed as an alternative in controlled-release matrix tablets. The aims of this study were to assess the potential value of these copolymers as direct compression excipients and to investigate relationships between the physical and structural properties of the polymers and the compression behaviour of the powders and the microstructural properties of the tablets. Copolymers were synthesised by free radical copolymerisation of MMA with starch or cellulose derivatives and were alternatively dried by oven or freeze-drying techniques. Thus, the present study focuses on the influence of the carbohydrate nature and the drying process on the mechanical and compaction properties of MMA copolymers. Particle size, shape and surface texture of the copolymers have been studied in detail and Heckel treatment has been chosen for discriminating the densification behaviour of powdered materials. Total pore volume and pore size distribution of MMA copolymer tablets were investigated with mercury porosimetry. Oven drying gave less porous particles with more homogenous surfaces than those freeze-dried. Differences in morphology between the MMA copolymers were demonstrated by increasing apparent particle densities, smaller flow rates and higher binding capacities for freeze-dried products. The porousness and mean pore radius of the tablets obtained from freeze-dried copolymers were higher than those of tablets obtained from oven-dried ones.

Influence of Avicel PH-301 on the compressibility of alpha-methyldopa and phenobarbitone in direct compression

The aim of this work was to investigate the compressibility behavior of alpha-methyldopa and phenobarbitone using a Korsch EK0 instrumented eccentric tablet machine, with force-time and force-displacement curves constructed and applied to calculate different compressional values to study the compressional behavior. The results of this work revealed a difference in compressibility behavior between the two drugs during the compressional process. alpha-Methyldopa gave an abnormal compressional curve with high friction in the pre- and postcompressional phases. A residual force could be seen on the lower punch. Furthermore, capping and sticking were observed visually during tablet pressing, indicating poor compressibility behavior. In the case of phenobarbitone, no friction was observed in the precompressional phase, but there was higher friction in the postcompressional phase, especially in the ejection phase. The compressibility of the drugs was improved by the addition of Avicel PH-301 and magnesium stearate.

Fronts movement as a useful tool for hydrophilic matrix release mechanism elucidation

The purpose of this study was to modify the fronts movement method proposed by Colombo et al. in order to apply it to uncoloured drugs and hydrophilic non-swellable matrices. Matrix tablets were prepared using theophylline as a model drug and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) or a new graft copolymer, hydroxypropylcellulose methylmethacrylate dried by lyophilization (HCMMAL), as polymer carriers. Drug release experiments were performed from the whole tablets. Radial drug release and fronts movement were also evaluated using special devices consisting of two Plexiglass(R) discs joined by means of four stainless steel screws. Release kinetics were determined by means of Higuchi, Korsmeyer and Peppas equations and were related to the fronts movement data. The analysis of drug release and fronts movement kinetics revealed a different release mechanism for both matrices. Drug release from NaCMC matrices was mostly controlled by relaxation, whereas drug diffusion through the porous network regulated drug release from HCMMAL matrices. A reduction in the surface exposed to the dissolution medium led to a decrease in the drug release rate, but the release mechanism was not essentially modified. Fronts movement was shown as a useful tool for matrix release mechanism elucidation. A new denomination for the different fronts observed in HCMMAL matrices was proposed.

The tabletting machine as an analytical instrument: qualification of the tabletting machine and the instrumentation with respect to the determination of punch separation and validation of the calibration procedures

The quality of the determination of punch separation in an eccentric tabletting machine equipped with two inductive displacement transducers was carefully investigated, since this tabletting machine is used as an 'analytical instrument' for the evaluation of the compression behaviour of pharmaceutical materials. For a quasistatic calibration procedure using gauge blocks, the repeatability under standard conditions and the robustness against variations in machine settings, installation conditions, equipment and methods were examined. The readings during calibration can be easily influenced by machine parameters as a result of deficiencies in the construction of the machine and in the mode of instrumentation. The poor plane-parallelism of the punch faces has a further negative effect on the accuracy of punch separation. In addition, the response at loading to lower and higher forces as during calibration was investigated. While at loading up to 100 N, the response of the system to the gauge blocks is systematically influenced by punch separation, for slow manually applied punch-to-punch loading up to 16.5 kN at a broad range of penetration depths, no significant effects were observed in the region of interest for tabletting. To get an indication of the transferability of the calibration and the determination of punch deformation to normal operating conditions, the lateral tilting of the punches during dynamic idle runs, punch-to-punch loading, and compression of microcrystalline cellulose was analyzed. A transfer of the response derived from punch-to-punch compression to tabletting conditions seems to be possible, although this must be questioned on grounds of theoretical considerations. From all the experiments performed, a total error of about +/- 30 microns must be assessed for the determination of punch separation.

Effect of Explotab on the tabletability of a poorly soluble drug

The efficiency of a superdisintegrant (Explotab) in a direct-compression formulation containing a poorly water soluble drug (albumin tanate) at high dosage was investigated. An experimental design with two variables, applied pressure and concentration of Explotab, enabled its effects on the tableting and the mechanical properties of the final tablets to be determined. Differential scanning calorimetry was performed to study the interactions between drug and excipients. No incompatibility was found between drug-excipient mixtures prepared in the proportion 1:1 and in the corresponding formulation at room temperature and after 3 weeks at 50 degrees C. The concentration of Explotab has a positive effect on flow properties. Also, the effect of applied pressure and disintegrant content was found to be significant on all compressional parameters. At low applied pressures, the breaking strength was independent on Explotab concentration. However, at higher applied pressures, the maximum densification obtained with 10% Explotab produced a limited breaking strength lower than that at 0% concentration. The response surface shows a certain level of Explotab, around 7%, at which the disintegration time was the shortest. At this level, the surface response was independent of the applied pressure. In our study, the experimental design was a valuable tool used to establish the optimum manufacturing conditions.