Enteric polymers as acidifiers for the pH-independent sustained delivery of a weakly basic drug salt from coated pellets.

Weakly basic drugs and their salts exhibit a decrease in aqueous solubility at higher pH, which can result in pH-dependent or even incomplete release of these drugs from extended release formulations. The objective of this study was to evaluate strategies to set-off the very strong pH-dependent solubility (solubility: 80 mg/ml at pH 2 and 0.02 mg/ml at pH 7.5, factor 4000) of a mesylate salt of weakly basic model drug (pK(a) 6.5), in order to obtain pH-independent extended drug release. Three approaches for pH-independent release were investigated: (1) organic acid addition in the core, (2) enteric polymer addition to the extended release coating and (3) an enteric polymer subcoating below the extended release coating. The layering of aspartic acid onto drug cores as well as the coating of drug cores with an ethylcellulose/Eudragit L (enteric polymer) blend were not effective to avoid the formation of the free base at pH 7.5 and thus failed to significantly improve the completeness of the release compared to standard ethylcellulose/hydroxypropyl cellulose (EC/HPC)-coated drug pellets. Interestingly, the incorporation of an enteric polymer layer underneath the EC/HPC coating decreased the free base formation at pH 7.5 and thus resulted in a more complete release of up to 90% of the drug loading over 18 h. The release enhancing effect was attributed to an extended acidification through the enteric polymer layer. Flexible release patterns with approximately pH-independent characteristics were successfully achieved.

Improvement in the disintegration of shellac-coated soft gelatin capsules in simulated intestinal fluid.

Shellac is a natural enteric polymer, which results in good gastric resistance; however, it often dissolves too slowly in intestinal fluids. The objective of this study was to improve the disintegration of shellac-coated soft gelatin capsules in simulated intestinal fluids (phosphate buffer pH 6.8) through the addition of pore-formers, such as organic acids and hydrophilic polymers, while retaining gastric resistance. The mechanical properties (% elongation at rupture, puncture strength at break and modulus at puncture), media uptake and weight loss of shellac films were determined upon exposure in 0.1 N HCl and/or phosphate buffer pH 6.8. Organic acids (e.g., sorbic acid) acted as plasticizers, they reduced the glass transition temperature of ethanol-cast shellac films. The addition of additives effectively decreased the disintegration times in phosphate buffer pH 6.8, while the behavior in 0.1 N HCl remained unchanged. In addition, the hardness and disintegration of shellac-coated soft gelatin capsules were monitored through the whole disintegration experiments. The best disintegration was achieved with sorbic acid as pore-former. Sorbic acid remained in the shellac coating at low pH, but leached in pH 6.8 buffer, thus resulting in good gastric resistance and rapid disintegration in simulated intestinal fluids. The disintegration time of ethanolic shellac-coated soft gelatin capsules decreased with increasing amount of pore-former. The slow disintegration of aqueous shellac-coated soft gelatin capsules could be also improved by the addition of hydrophilic polymers, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). However, higher HPMC concentrations were required when compared to sorbic acid.

Coating of pellets with micronized ethylcellulose particles by a dry powder coating technique.

Pellets were coated with ethylcellulose powder to achieve extended release. The film forming ability of ethylcellulose powder and the effect of formulation factors (plasticizer type and concentration) and curing conditions (curing temperature and time) were investigated. The coating formulation was divided into two components consisting of a powder mixture (polymer plus talc) and a mixture of liquid materials (plasticizer plus binder solution), which were sprayed separately into the coating chamber of a fluidized bed coater (Glatt GPCG-1, Wurster insert). The coated pellets were oven-cured under different conditions (60-80 degrees C, 2-24 h) without and with humidity (100% relative humidity). Propranolol hydrochloride was used as a model drug, and drug release was studied in 0.1 N HCl at 37 degrees C (USP XXV paddle method). Despite the high glass transition temperature of ethylcellulose (133.4 degrees C), micronized ethylcellulose powder can be used for dry powder coating by adjusting the coating temperature, amount and type of plasticizer applied, and curing conditions. 40% plasticizer and a curing step (80 degrees C, 24 h) were required to achieve complete coalescence of the polymer particles and extended drug release of coated pellets. Although ethylcellulose-coated pellets had an uneven surface, extended drug release could be obtained with coating level of 15%. Because of its high glass transition temperature, ethylcellulose-coated pellets showed unchanged drug release profiles upon storage at room temperature for 3 years.

Dry polymer powder coating and comparison with conventional liquid-based coatings for Eudragit) RS, ethylcellulose and shellac.

Drug-layered pellets were coated with micronized polymer powders (Eudragit) RS, ethylcellulose, and shellac) by a dry powder coating technique as an alternative to organic- and aqueous-based coatings (Eudragit) RS 30D, Aquacoat) ECD) were investigated. High plasticizer concentrations (40%) and a thermal after-treatment (curing) were necessary for the coalescence of the polymer particles and good film formation. Ethylcellulose required a higher curing temperature and time than Eudragit) RS because of its higher glass transition temperature (133 versus 58 degrees C). A smaller polymer particle size also promoted film formation. In general, pellets coated with polymer powders required higher coating levels to obtain similar drug release patterns as pellets coated with organic polymer solutions and aqueous polymer dispersions.

Dry powder coating of pellets with micronized Eudragit RS for extended drug release.

PURPOSE: To develop a novel powder coating technology for extended-release pellets based on the acrylic polymer, Eudragit RS. METHODS: A mixture of micronized Eudragit RS plus talc and a liquid feed (plasticizer plus binder solution) were sprayed separately onto propranolol hydrochloride-loaded pellets in a fluidized bed coater. The coated pellets were heat-cured under different conditions (40 degrees C to 60 degrees C, 2 h to 24 h). The coalescence (film formation) of the polymer particles was studied via the determination of the glass transition and the minimum polymer-softening temperatures (MST). The coated pellets were characterized with respect to their morphologic, release, and stability properties. RESULTS: The optimum plasticizer type and concentration and process temperatures could be identified by the determination of the MST. High concentrations of plasticizer (40% based on the polymer) and a thermal treatment were necessary to achieve complete film formation and extended drug release. Curing the pellets resulted in release profiles, which did not change during storage for 3 years. The coated pellets had a smooth, continuous surface and a dense film structure after curing. CONCLUSIONS: This novel coating technique avoids the use of organic polymer solutions or latex dispersions, has short processing times, and results in stable extended-release profiles.