Solid Dosage Forms of Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Intended for Pediatric Use: Formulation and Stability Studies

Design of colon-targeted drug delivery of dexamethasone: Formulation and in vitro characterization of solid dispersions

Colon-targeted drug delivery continues to generate increasing attention for its prospects in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to develop and evaluate colon-targeted solid dispersions of dexamethasone (DEX-SDs) in vitro to reduce its systemic exposure. This would ultimately improve the therapeutic efficacy of DEX while minimizing its adverse effects. Different DEX-SDs formulations were prepared utilizing Eudragit S100 (EU S100) and a combination of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and EU S100 to tune its drug release profile suitable for colonic delivery. The fabricated formulations were extensively characterized via Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and polarized light microscopy (PLM). The different characterization techniques strongly suggest preparing solid solution-type solid dispersions of DEX with the other polymers (DEX-SDs). In addition, the in vitro dissolution of DEX-SDs was evaluated using two dissolution media (pH 1.2 and 7.4). The in vitro release of DEX-SDs was low in the acidic media and higher and sustained in the basic medium, leading to the conclusion that the developed DEX-SDs may represent an effective technology can overcome challenges related to poor drug solubility and bioavailability.

Taste Masking of Steroids for Oral Formulations

Objectives

Oral steroids are commonly prescribed to children. Steroids have a strong bitter taste that limits their oral acceptance in children. The objective of this study was to formulate a pediatric-friendly and palatable oral dosage form of steroids.

Materials and Methods

Solid dispersions of dexamethasone were prepared using polyethylene glycol, pectin, and Eudragit as carrier polymers, and chocolate as a flavoring agent. Taste masking efficiency was evaluated by healthy volunteers to select the best formula. The selected formula was pressed into chewable tablets with varying amounts of sweeteners. Chewable tablets were evaluated for palatability, hardness, and chewing index. The typical application of the taste masking approach was confirmed using prednisolone.

Results

Eudragit-based solid dispersions were effective in dexamethasone taste masking. Using 40% mannitol resulted in palatable tablets with acceptable hardness and chewing difficulty. The effectiveness of the taste masking approach was successfully used to prepare prednisolone chewable tablets. However, an increase in the carrier: drug ratio and a change in the flavor to pineapple were necessary to achieve maximum palatability of prednisolone chewable tablets.

Conclusion

Eudragit solid dispersion is an effective method for the taste masking highly bitter steroids. The solid dispersion was successfully pressed into a palatable, easy-to-chew, and pediatric-friendly chewable tablet dosage form. The carrier: drug ratio and the choice of flavoring agent are crucial factors in improving tablet palatability.