Molecular properties of ciprofloxacin-Indion 234 complexes

Formulation development, in vivo bioequivalence and pediatric PBPK modeling studies of taste-masked ciprofloxacin chewable tablets

A taste-masked chewable tablet of ciprofloxacin using ion exchange resin Kyron T-134 for enhancing compliance for the paediatric population was developed. The drug-to-resin ratio was optimized for maximum taste masking by studying the effects of soaking time (X1) and mixing time (X2) on complexation (%) using Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD). The resin complexes were characterized by bitterness score, DSC, FTIR, and PXRD. The complex was further formulated and optimized into chewable tablets through full factorial design, The optimized formulation was subjected to a bioequivalence study, and a virtual approach of PBPK modelling was adapted to predict the pharmacokinetics of the drug in the paediatric group. The drug resin ratio of 1:1.5 yielded an optimum drug loading of 99.05%. The optimized formulation shows minimum disintegration time with more than 99% drug release within 30 min. The formulation F-9 was found to be bioequivalent with a geometric mean ratio of Cmax, Tmax, AUC0-t, and AUC0-∞ within 90% CI. It was concluded that quality by design approach can successfully be applied to optimize the drug resin ratio and PBPK modeling is a successful predictive tool for estimating the pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin HCl in the paediatric population.

Improved therapeutic potential of tapentadol employing cationic exchange resins as carriers in neuropathic pain: evidence from pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics study

Current investigation was endeavoured to overcome problem of poor palatability and bioavailability of centrally acting analgesic, tapentadol (TAP) by formulating controlled release drug-resin complexes (DRCs). The technology encompassed in preparation of DRCs involved chemisorption of TAP to weak cationic resins (KyronT-134 and Tulsion335) by batch method. Various formulation variables like drug-resin ratio, pH, resin activation and swelling time were optimized to achieve maximum drug loading in DRCs. FT-IR, DSC, pXRD, in vitro release study under bio-relevant condition of mouth and in vivo sensory taste evaluation established formation of taste masked DRC whereas dissolution study assured prolonged drug release behaviour of optimized DRC. Among DRCs, TAP-KyronT-134 complex exhibited higher drug loading (80.89 ± 4.56%), stability and prolonged release profile (10 h) without any detectable amount of drug release under salivary conditions. Pharmacokinetic studies in wistar rats revealed increased Tmax (2.67-fold), MRT (1.94-fold), elimination half-life (2.79-fold) and relative oral bioavailability (2.62-fold) of TAP on oral administration of optimized formulation compared to TAP solution. Furthermore, pharmacodynamics study confessed higher potential of DRC in attenuating chronic injury induced tactile allodynia for prolonged duration. In conclusion, the method developed is easily scalable and holds potential for commercialization with an evidence of obtaining more efficacious neuropathic pain management therapy.

Olive oil based novel thermo-reversible emulsion hydrogels for controlled delivery applications

Gels have been considered as a popular mode of delivering medicament for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (e.g. human immunodeficiency virus, bacterial vaginosis, epididymitis, human papillomavirus infection and condylomata acuminata etc.). The present study discusses the development of novel olive oil based emulsion hydrogels (EHs) using sorbitan monopalmitate as the structuring agent. The developed EHs may be tried as drug delivery vehicle for the treatment of STDs. The formation of EHs was confirmed by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. FTIR studies suggested intermolecular hydrogen bonding amongst the components of the EHs. X-ray diffraction study suggested the amorphous nature of the EHs. The developed EHs have shown non-Newtonian flow behavior. The EHs were found to be biocompatible. The formulations were able to effectively deliver two model antimicrobial drugs (e.g. ciprofloxacin and metronidazole), commonly used in the treatment of the STDs.

Meloxicam taste-masked oral disintegrating tablet with dissolution enhanced by ion exchange resins and cyclodextrin

The purpose of this study was to develop taste-masked oral disintegrating tablets (ODTs) using the combination of ion exchange resin and cyclodextrin, to mask the bitter taste and enhance drug dissolution. Meloxicam (MX) was selected as a model drug with poor water solubility and a bitter taste. Formulations containing various forms of MX (free drug, MX-loaded resin or resinate, complexes of MX and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) or MX/HPβCD complexes, and a mixture of resinate and MX/HPβCD complexes) were made and tablets were prepared by direct compression. The ODTs were evaluated for weight variation, thickness, diameter, hardness, friability, disintegration time, wetting time, MX content, MX release, degree of bitter taste, and stability. The results showed that thickness, diameter, weight, and friability did not differ significantly for all of these formulations. The tablet hardness was approximately 3 kg/in.(2), and the friability was less than 1%. Tablets formulated with resinate and the mixture of resinate and MX/HPβCD complexes disintegrated rapidly within 60 s, which is the acceptable limit for ODTs. These results corresponded to the in vivo disintegration and wetting times. However, only tablets containing the mixture of resinate and MX/HPβCD complexes provided complete MX dissolution and successfully masked the bitter taste of MX. In addition, this tablet was stable at least 6 months. The results from this study suggest that the appropriate combination of ion exchange resin and cyclodextrin could be used in ODTs to mask the bitter taste of drug and enhance the dissolution of drugs that are weakly soluble in water.

Drug resinates an attractive approach of solubility enhancement of atorvastatin calcium

A substantial number of new chemical entities and marketed drugs show poor solubility characteristics and amorphisation is one of the favorable approaches to enhance solubility characteristics of such poorly soluble drugs. Formulation efforts in the present study were devoted to investigate amorphisation of a model poorly soluble drug, atorvastatin calcium by molecular complexation with anion exchange resin, Duolite(®)AP 143/1093 and hence enhancement in its solubility characteristics. Drug resinates in 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 weight ratios were prepared by simple batch operation and subsequently studied for drug content, residual solvent content, molecular interactions, solid state characterisation and solubility characteristics. During initial characterisation, all the proportions of drug resinates, except 1:1 proportion showed partial amorphisation of the drug, whereas 1:1 proportion showed complete amorphisation of the drug. This proportion reported distinctly enhanced solubility characteristics over pure drug and other proportions. Such amorphisation and solubility enhancement could be attributed to the binding of individual drug molecules to the functional sites of the resin molecules, either partially or completely, resulting in reduction of crystal lattice energy, a main barrier to dissolution. Hydrophilic nature of ion exchange resin matrices also assisted in enhancing dissolution of the drug from the resinates. During accelerated stability study, there was an insignificant decrease in solubility characteristics of the drug and its amorphous form was also found to be stable in 1:1 proportion. Atorvastatin resinates formed in 1:1 weight ratio were in stoichiometric proportion and such drug resinates in stoichiometric proportion showed to have tremendous potential in conversion of crystalline form of drug substances to its amorphous form and subsequent stabilisation. It hence proved to be a very effective, yet simple approach for improving solubility characteristics of poorly soluble actives.

Formulation and characterization of patient-friendly dosage form of ondansetron hydrochloride

Ondansetron hydrochloride is an intensely bitter antiemetic drug used to treat nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy. The purpose of the present work was to mask the taste of ondansetron hydrochloride and to formulate its patient-friendly dosage form. Complexation technique using indion 234 (polycyclic potassium with carboxylic functionality) and an ion-exchange resin was used to mask the bitter taste and then the taste-masked drug was formulated into an orodispersible tablet (ODT). The drug loading onto the ion-exchange resin was optimized for mixing time, activation, effect of pH, mode of mixing, ratio of drug to resin and temperature. The resinate was evaluated for taste masking and characterized by X-ray diffraction study and infrared spectroscopy. ODTs were formulated using the drug–resin complex. The developed tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, drug content, weight variation, content uniformity, friability, water absorption ratio, in vitro and in vivo disintegration time and in vitro drug release. The tablets disintegrated in vitro and in vivo within 24 and 27 s, respectively. Drug release from the tablet was completed within 2 min. The obtained results revealed that ondansetron HCl has been successfully taste masked and formulated into an ODT as a suitable alternative to the conventional tablets.

Taste masking and molecular properties of metformin hydrochloride-indion 234 complexes

Metformin hydrochloride is an oral antidiabetic biguinide agent, used in the management of non-insulin-dependent (type-2) diabetes mellitus. The purpose of present work was to formulate tasteless complexes of metformin hydrochloride with indion 234 and to evaluate molecular properties of drug complexes. The drug loading onto ion-exchange resin was optimized for mixing time, activation, effect of pH, mode of mixing, ratio of drug to resin, and temperature. Drug resin complexes (DRC) were evaluated for taste masking and characterized by x-ray diffraction study and infrared spectroscopy. Metformin hydrochloride release from DRC is obtained at salivary and gastric pH and in the presence of electrolytes. The efficient drug loading was evident in batch process using activated indion 234 with a pH of 3.5 and drug-resin ratio of 1:1.2, while temperature enhances the complexation process. Infrared spectroscopy revealed complexation of –NH (drug) with indion 234. DRC are amorphous in nature. Drug release from DRC in salivary pH was insufficient to impart bitter taste. Volunteers rated the complex as tasteless and agreeable. Complete drug release was observed at gastric pH in 3 h. The drug release was accelerated in the presence of electrolytes. Indion 234 is inexpensive, and the simple technique is effective for bitterness masking of metformin.

Formulation design and optimization of novel taste masked mouth-dissolving tablets of tramadol having adequate mechanical strength

The purpose of this work was to develop novel taste masked mouth-dissolving tablets of tramadol that overcomes principle drawback of such formulation which is inadequate mechanical strength. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Mouth-dissolving tablets offer substantial advantages like rapid onset of action, beneficial for patients having difficulties in swallowing and in conditions where access to water is difficult. The crucial aspect in the formulation of mouth-dissolving tablets is to mask the bitter taste and to minimize the disintegration time while maintaining a good mechanical strength of the tablet. Mouth-dissolving tablets of tramadol are not yet reported in the literature because of its extreme bitter taste. In this work, the bitter taste of Tramadol HCl was masked by forming a complex with an ion exchange resin Tulsion335. The novel combination of a superdisintegrant and a binder that melts near the body temperature was used to formulate mechanically strong tablets that showed fast disintegration. A 3(2) full factorial design and statistical models were applied to optimize the effect of two factors, i.e., superdisintegrant (crospovidone) and a mouth-melting binder (Gelucire 39/01). It was observed that the responses, i.e., disintegration time and percent friability were affected by both the factors. The statistical models were validated and can be successfully used to prepare optimized taste masked mouth-dissolving tablets of Tramadol HCl with adequate mechanical strength and rapid disintegration.