Analysis of terbinafine in PLGA-based drug delivery systems by a fast and sensitive UHPLC-DAD method

A novel ultra-high performance chromatography method with multichannel detection that allows fast, sensitive, and robust analysis of an antifungal drug terbinafine and its three main impurities β-terbinafine, (Z)-terbinafine, and 4-methylterbinafine in just 5.0 min has been developed. Analysis of terbinafine is important in pharmaceutical analysis since it enables the detection of its impurities at very low concentrations. In this study, we focused on the development, optimization, and validation of the UHPLC method as well as its subsequent application in the evaluation of terbinafine and its three main impurities in the dissolution medium to reveal the incorporation of terbinafine in two poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) carriers and testing of the drug release at pH 5.5. PLGA based drug delivery systems such as solid dispersions, thin films, microparticles, and nanoparticles are new favorable ways of terbinafine administration. PLGA features excellent tissue compatibility, biodegradation, and adjustable drug release profile. Our pre-formulation study indicates that poly(acrylic acid) branched PLGA polyester has more suitable properties than tripentaerythritol branched PLGA polyester. Therefore, the former is likely to enable design of a new drug delivery system for topically applied terbinafine that could facilitate its administration and increase patient compliance.

Concerns regarding tablet splitting: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Tablet splitting can provide dose flexibility and cost savings; however, pharmaceutical representatives typically discourage the practice.

AIM

To identify and summarise all published concerns related to tablet splitting and to present the experimental evidence that investigates those concerns.

DESIGN & SETTING

Systematic review and qualitative synthesis of tablet-splitting concerns and evidence.

METHOD

Medline and EMBASE databases were searched over all years of publication for articles in English discussing the splitting of tablets. Eligible articles included original research, narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and expert opinion.

RESULTS

After removing duplicates, 1837 potentially relevant articles underwent dual review, whereupon 1612 articles were excluded based on title and abstract. After examination of 225 full texts, 138 articles were included (one systematic review, four narrative reviews, 101 original research articles, and 32 opinion articles). The described concerns included difficulty breaking tablets, loss of mass, weight variability, chemical instability, overly rapid dosing if sustained-release medications are split, non-compliance, and patient confusion resulting in medication errors. No substantive evidence was found to support concerns regarding loss of mass, weight variability, chemical instability, or non-compliance. Evidence does support some older adults struggling to split tablets without tablet splitters, and the inappropriateness of splitting sustained-release preparations, given the potential for alteration of the rate of drug release for some products.

CONCLUSION

With the exception of sustained-release tablets, which should not be split, and excepting those older people who may struggle to split tablets based on physical limitations, there is little evidence to support tablet-splitting concerns.