Safety and performance of current abuse-deterrent formulations

Nasal absorption of oxycodone predicted using a novel computational fluid dynamics-physiologically based pharmacokinetic model

Oxycodone hydrochloride (HCl) extended release (ER) tablet is an abuse-deterrent formulation that uses a physical barrier to make it more difficult to crush tablets prior to abuse via various routes. A previously conducted in vivo pharmacokinetics (PK) study showed that particle size exhibited significant effects on PK. Here, a computational modeling study using a novel combined computational fluid dynamics and physiologically based PK model was applied to better understand the mechanisms that produce differences in PK according to particle size and formulation type for nasally insufflated oxycodone HCl immediate release (IR) and ER tablets. Dissolution data were collected using a United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Apparatus 4 to support model parameterization. The in vitro dissolution data showed that the number of powder layers in the bead-based system impacted the observed dissolution pattern for the finely milled (106-500 μm) ER formulations, but not the finely milled IR (106-500 μm) or coarsely milled ER (500-1000 μm) formulations. The model was validated via comparison of PK predictions with available in vivo PK data for finely milled (106-500 μm) IR and ER formulations in the 30 mg strength, a coarsely milled (500-1000 μm) ER formulation in the 30 mg strength, and a finely milled ER formulation in the 80 mg strength. Model predictions showed relative differences no greater than 3.3 % for maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and 14.9 % for area under the plasma concentration time curve from time zero to the last time point, as well as absolute differences no greater than 0.8 h for time to Cmax. The residence time in the nasal cavity was predicted to be 1 h for finely milled ER formulations as compared with approximately 20 min for the finely milled IR and coarsely milled ER formulations. When differences in dissolution input data were considered, there were noticeable changes in PK predictions observed for the finely milled ER formulations, according to the different number of powder layers in the USP Apparatus 4. Overall, the results of this study suggest that biopredictive in vitro characterization of abuse deterrence via the nasal route for an oxycodone HCl ER tablet drug product may include methods to characterize dissolution and impacts of formulation on residence time in the nasal cavity.

Stability of Abuse-deterrent properties of PEO-based Abuse-deterrent formulation

Abuse of opioid drug products is a national health crisis in the US. To deter abuse, a number of drug products with abuse-deterrent (AD) properties have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For abuse deterrence, it is critical to maintain the AD properties during the product shelf life. However, no information on the stability of AD properties during product shelf life is publicly available. In this study, stability of AD properties of surrogate AD formulation (ADF) of opioid active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) were studied. Surrogate extended release (ER) AD tablets were prepared by direct compression using Diltiazem HCl (model drug), polyethylene oxide (PEO WSR 301) polymer and magnesium stearate followed by curing at 70 °C for 30 mins. The stability studies were conducted at 25 °C/60 % RH and 40 °C/75 % RH storage conditions for 12 months (M) and 6 months (M), respectively. In vitro characterization and evaluation of AD properties of tablets were performed. As anticipated, the curing process increased the crushing strength of the tablets. However, the tablets could still be manipulated and compromised leading to an enhancement in the amount of drug extracted in solvents (e.g., water, alcohol), regardless of extraction temperature as well as tablet storage condition and time. Furthermore, the granule particle size as well as viscosity in water of manipulated samples were found to be lower for tablets stored at 25 °C/60 % RH or 40 °C/75 % RH for 12 M or 3 M/6M, respectively. The changes in AD properties eased the syringeability of hydrated samples and ultimately led to the withdrawal of higher amounts of drug into the syringe, thereby, impacting the abuse deterrence potential of the formulation by an IV route. These data demonstrated that the stability of AD properties (i.e., granule particle size, viscosity and syringeability-injectability) of PEO-based tablets was dependent on the storage condition. In conclusion, the design of AD formulation and setting of product quality profile should take into consideration the stability of AD properties during the product shelf life.

Development and evaluation of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride abuse-deterrent formulations using thermal modified rice starch

There is a continued global effort to prevent the spread of prescription drug abuse. In particular, chemical structure of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSE), an over-the-counter medication, is very similar to that of methamphetamine (MET). The aim of this study was to develop abuse-deterrent formulations (ADF) of PSE by using thermal modified starch (TMR). PSE is a water-soluble drug, but it is intended to inhibit extraction from the extraction medium in excess tablets. Starch-based formulations were successfully developed using cross-linking agent and lipid. The extraction (%) of PSE from TMR7-L5 formulation (equivalent to 5 tablets) were 75.3% in DW, 2.7% in ethyl alcohol, and 63.0% in 40% ethyl alcohol (v/v) at 60 °C for 30 min. Moreover, TMR7-L5 formulation delayed drug release compared to the commercial product in in vitro release. In conclusion, the development of ADFs using a starch-based formulation shows novelty and has potential to prevent drug abuse.