Design and development of controlled porosity osmotic tablet of diltiazem hydrochloride

Development and pharmacokinetic evaluation of osmotically controlled drug delivery system of Valganciclovir HCl for potential application in the treatment of CMV retinitis

Valganciclovir HCl (VGH) is the widely used drug for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis infection with an induction dose of 900 mg per oral (p.o.) twice a day and a maintenance dose of 900 mg (p.o.). This required dose of the drug also leads to multiple side effects due to repeated administration. The research was highlighted to develop, formulate, optimize, and evaluate single-core osmotic pump (SCOP) tablet of VGH with the dose of 450 mg to reduce dosing frequency and associated side effects. The decrease in dose also minimizes the hepatic and nephrotic load. The optimized batch of the formulation was subjected to comparative in vitro and in vivo evaluation. The tablet core composition is the primary influencer of the drug delivery fraction in a zero order, whereas the membrane characteristics control the drug release rate. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies revealed that the newly developed osmotic formulation has controlled zero-order release for 24 h with a single dose of 450 mg while the marketed formulation requires twice administration within 24 h to maintain the plasma concentration in the therapeutic window. The pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that the developed formulation has the area under curve (AUC) of 58.415 µg h/ml with single dose while the marketed formulation shows the AUC of about 37.903 µg h/ml and 31.983 µg h/ml for first and second dose, respectively. The large AUC demonstrates the extended release of drug with a single dose and effective plasma concentration. Hence, the developed formulation can be a promising option for the treatment of CMV retinitis with the minimum dose and dosing frequency.

Customised 3D printed multi-drug systems: An effective and efficient approach to polypharmacy

INTRODUCTION

Combination therapies continue to improve therapeutic outcomes as currently achieved by polypharmacy. Since the introduction of the polypill, there has been a significant improvement in adherence and patient outcomes. However, the mass production of polypills presents a number of technical, formulation, and clinical challenges. The current one-size-fits-all approach ignores the unique clinical demands of patients, necessitating the adoption of a more versatile tool. That will be the novel, but not so novel, 3D printing.

AREAS COVERED

: The present review investigates this promising paradigm shift from one medication for all, to customised medicines, providing an overview of the current state of 3D-printed multi-active pharmaceutical forms, techniques applied and printing materials. Details on cost implications, as well as potential limitations and challenges are also elaborated.

EXPERT OPINION

: 3D printing of multi-active systems, is not only beneficial but also essential. With growing interest in this field, a shift in manufacturing, prescribing, and administration patterns is at this point, unavoidable. Addressing limitations and challenges, as well as data presentation on clinical trial results, will aid in the acceleration of this technology's implementation. However, it is clear that 3D printing is not the end of it, as evidenced by the emerging 4D printing technology.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Oral Controlled Release Formulation of BCS Class I Drug Using Polymer Matrix System

Diltiazem hydrochloride is a calcium channel blocker, which belongs to the family of benzothiazepines. It is commonly used to treat hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Even though the drug has high solubility, its high permeability and rapid metabolism in the liver can limit the bioavailability and increase the dose frequencies for up to four times per day. This study focused on a polymer matrix system not only to control the drug release but also to prolong the duration of bioavailability. The polymer matrices were prepared using different ratios of poloxamer-188, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and stearyl alcohol. In vitro and in vivo assessments took place using 24 rabbits and the results were compared to commercially available product Tildiem® (60 mg tablet) as reference. Overall, the rate of drug release was sustained with the gradual increase of poloxamer-188 incorporated with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and stearyl alcohol in the matrix system, achieving a maximum release period of 10 h. The oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters of diltiazem hydrochloride incorporated in polymer matrix system were similar to commercial reference Tildiem®. In conclusion, the combination of polymers can have a substantial effect on controlling and prolonging the drug release pattern. The outcomes showed that poloxamer-188 combined with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and stearyl alcohol is a powerful matrix system for controlling release of diltiazem hydrochloride.

Characterization, Disintegration, and Dissolution Analyses of Carrageenan-Based Hard-Shell Capsules Cross-Linked with Maltodextrin as a Potential Alternative Drug Delivery System

Hard-shell capsules commonly consist of gelatin which is not a universal material considering it is extracted from animal parts. Moreover, the mad cow disease triggered the scrutinization of the use of gelatin in pharmaceutical products. Hence, an alternative to conventional hard-shell capsules is needed. Carrageenan- (CRG-) based hard-shell capsules were successfully prepared by cross-linking CRG with maltodextrin (MD) and plasticizing with sorbitol (SOR). These CRG-MD/SOR hard-shell capsules were produced as an alternative to conventional hard-shell capsules in the oral drug delivery system (DDS). The physical properties of CRG-MD/SOR capsules were characterized using the degree of swelling, FTIR, and SEM analyses. The disintegration and dissolution profile release of paracetamol from CRG-MD/SOR hard-shell capsules was performed in an aqueous medium with three different pH levels. The degree of swelling of CRG-MD/SOR was 529.23±128.10%. The main peaks in the FTIR spectrum of CRG-MD/SOR were at 1248, 930, 847, and 805 cm−1 for ester sulfate groups, 3,6-anhydrogalactose, galactose-4-sulfate, and 3,6-anhydrogalactose-2-sulfate, respectively. The SEM analysis exhibited minuscule pores on the surface of CRG and CRG-MD/SOR at 5000 times of magnification. The CRG-MD/SOR capsules required 18.47±0.11 min on average to disintegrate. The CRG-MD/SOR dissolution was better in a weakly acidic medium (pH 4.5) than in a strongly acidic (pH 1.2) and neutral (pH 6.8) media. Based on the aforementioned results, CRG-MD/SOR capsules are the potential candidate to replace conventional hard-shell capsules.