ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate key polymer properties affecting direct compression and drug release from water-insoluble matrices. Commonly used polymers, such as Kollidon(®) SR, Eudragit(®) RS and ethyl cellulose, were characterized, formulated into tablets and compared with regard to their properties in dry and wet state. A similar site percolation threshold of 65% v/v was found for all polymers in dry state. Key parameters influencing polymer compactibility were the surface properties and the glass transition temperature (T(g)), affecting polymer elasticity and particle size-dependent binding. The important properties observed in dry state also governed matrix characteristics and therefore drug release in wet state. A low T(g) (Kollidon(®) SRSubject(s)
Drug Carriers
, Dyphylline/chemistry
, Polymers/chemistry
, Water/chemistry
, Acrylic Resins/chemistry
, Cellulose/analogs & derivatives
, Cellulose/chemistry
, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
, Compressive Strength
, Delayed-Action Preparations
, Elasticity
, Hot Temperature
, Humidity
, Kinetics
, Particle Size
, Permeability
, Porosity
, Povidone/chemistry
, Solubility
, Surface Properties
, Tablets
, Technology, Pharmaceutical/methods
, Transition Temperature
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to extend the predictability of an established solution of Fick's second law of diffusion with formulation-relevant parameters and including percolation theory. Kollidon SR (polyvinyl acetate/polyvinylpyrrolidone, 80/20 w/w) matrix tablets with various porosities (10-30% v/v) containing model drugs with different solubilities (Cs=10-170 mg/ml) and in different amounts (A=10-90% w/w) were prepared by direct compression and characterized by drug release and mass loss studies. Drug release was fitted to Fick's second law to obtain the apparent diffusion coefficient. Its changes were correlated with the total porosity of the matrix and the solubility of the drug. The apparent diffusion coefficient was best described by a cumulative normal distribution over the range of total porosities. The mean of the distribution coincided with the polymer percolation threshold, and the minimum and maximum of the distribution were represented by the diffusion coefficient in pore-free polymer and in aqueous medium, respectively. The derived model was verified, and the applicability further extended to a drug solubility range of 10-1000 mg/ml. The developed mathematical model accurately describes and predicts drug release from Kollidon SR matrix tablets. It can efficiently reduce experimental trials during formulation development.
