A pilot human pharmacokinetic study and influence of formulation factors on orodispersible tablet incorporating meloxicam solid dispersion using factorial design

Development and Evaluation of Cannabidiol Orodispersible Tablets Using a 23-Factorial Design

Orodispersible tablets (ODTs) are pharmaceutical formulations used to obtain fast therapeutic effects, usually recommended for geriatric and pediatric patients due to their improved compliance, bioavailability, ease of administration, and good palatability. This study aimed to develop ODTs with cannabidiol (CBD) phytocannabinoid extracted from Cannabis sativa used in the treatment of Lennox–Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. The tablets were obtained using an eccentric tableting machine and 9 mm punches. To develop CBD ODTs, the following parameters were varied: the Poloxamer 407 concentration (0 and 10%), the type of co-processed excipient (Prosolv^® ODT G2—PODTG2 and Prosolv^® EasyTab sp—PETsp), and the type of superdisintegrant (Croscarmellose—CCS, and Soy Polysaccharides—Emcosoy^®—EMCS), resulting in eleven formulations (O1–O11). The following dependent parameters were evaluated: friability, disintegration time, crushing strength, and the CBD dissolution at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 30 min. The dependent parameters were verified according to European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) requirements. All the tablets obtained were in accordance with quality requirements in terms of friability (less than 1%), and disintegration time (less than 180 s). The crushing strength was between 19 N and 80 N. Regarding the dissolution test, only four formulations exhibited an amount of CBD released higher than 80% at 30 min. Taking into consideration the results obtained and using the Modde 13.1 software, an optimal formulation was developed (O12), which respected the quality criteria chosen (friability 0.23%, crushing strength of 37 N, a disintegration time of 27 s, and the target amount of CBD released in 30 min of 99.3 ± 6%).

A new dual function orodissolvable/dispersible meclizine HCL tablet to challenge patient inconvenience: in vitro evaluation and in vivo assessment in human volunteers

Meclizine hydrochloride (MCZ), a first-generation antihistamine of the piperazine class, is antiemetic and intended for the management of nausea and vomiting with few adverse effects. The introduction of orodispersible tablet (ODT) would solve the problems encountered in the administration of this drug to pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric patients. It would be even more advantageous if the MCZ tablet could provoke rapid and prolonged efficacy. Achieving concomitant rapid and prolonged drug therapeutic effects in orodissolvable/dispersible dosage forms would be challenging. In this respect, the authors prepared tablets with coats and cores for immediate and prolonged drug absorption. To achieve this goal, nanoparticles of MCZ from chitosan (CS) and shellac (SH) were prepared by ionic crosslinking and then directly compressed with excipients to form the core in a coated tablet. The immediate release coat with MCZ with the same excipients as in the core was amenable by direct compression. MCZ in the coat dissolved in the presence of a superdisintegrant, leading to rapid absorption from the buccal cavity. Meanwhile, enteric-coated nanoparticles were swallowed and dissolved in the GIT. Intuitively, the absorption process was prolonged. The in vitro release characteristics of all the tablets were studied in comparison with a commercial tablet (CT). Additionally, evaluation of the in vivo pharmacokinetic profile of both the prepared and commercial tablets was performed in humans. The dual function tablet disintegrated in 58 s at pH 5.5. In vivo, noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis showed concomitant rapid absorption, possibly from the coat, followed by prolonged absorption from the core. Successfully, these good results confirm that combined rapid and prolonged MCZ therapy with the prepared dual function orodissolvable/dispersible tablet could be a promising oral drug delivery system to enhance convenience for patients. Hopefully, dual function tablets will confer a benefit through the accommodation of more than a single medication in the case of multiple therapies.

Mechanisms of increased bioavailability through amorphous solid dispersions: a review

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) can increase the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. However, their use in drug development is comparably rare due to a lack of basic understanding of mechanisms governing drug liberation and absorption in vivo. Furthermore, the lack of a unified nomenclature hampers the interpretation and classification of research data. In this review, we therefore summarize and conceptualize mechanisms covering the dissolution of ASDs, formation of supersaturated ASD solutions, factors responsible for solution stabilization, drug uptake from ASD solutions, and drug distribution within these complex systems as well as effects of excipients. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of these findings on the development of ASDs. This improved overall understanding of these mechanisms will facilitate a rational ASD formulation development and will serve as a basis for further mechanistic research on drug delivery by ASDs.

Floating lipid beads for the improvement of bioavailability of poorly soluble basic drugs: in-vitro optimization and in-vivo performance in humans

The challenge in developing oral drug delivery systems of poorly soluble basic drugs is primarily due to their pH dependent solubility. Cinnarizine (CNZ), a model for a poorly soluble basic drug, has pH dependent solubility; where it dissolves readily at low pH in the stomach and exhibits a very low solubility at pH values greater than 4. It is also characterized by a short half life of 3-6h, which requires frequent daily administration resulting in poor patient compliance. In an attempt to solve these problems, extended release floating lipid beads were formulated. A 2(4) full factorial design was utilized for optimization of the effects of various independent variables; lipid:drug ratio, % Pluronic F-127, % Sterotex, and Gelucire 43/01:Gelucire 50/13 ratio, on the loading efficiency and release of CNZ from the lipid beads. In-vivo pharmacokinetic study of the optimized CNZ-lipid beads compared to Stugeron® (reference standard) was performed in healthy human volunteers. A promising approach for enhancing the bioavailability of the poorly soluble basic drug, CNZ, utilizing novel and simple floating lipid beads was successfully developed. Zero order release profile of CNZ was achieved for 12h. Mean AUC0-24 and AUC0-∞ of the optimized CNZ-loaded lipid beads were 4.23 and 6.04 times that of Stugeron® tablets respectively.