Influence of crystal form of ipratropium bromide on micronisation and aerosolisation behaviour in dry powder inhaler formulations.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the mechanical properties of anhydrous and monohydrate ipratropium bromide (IB) crystals, their processing behaviour upon air-jet micronisation and aerosolisation performance in dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations. METHODS: IB monohydrate and anhydrous crystals were produced from seed crystals and supercritical carbon dioxide crystallisation, respectively. Young's modulus of anhydrous and monohydrate IB crystals was determined using nanoindentation. For air-jet micronised crystals, the physicochemical and surface interfacial properties via the cohesive-adhesive balance (CAB) approach were investigated. These data were correlated to in-vitro aerosolisation performance of carrier-based DPI formulations containing either anhydrous or monohydrate IB. KEY FINDINGS: Particle size and Young's modulus of both crystals were similar and this was reflected in their similar processing upon micronisation. Particle size of micronised anhydrous and monohydrate crystals were similar. CAB measurements of the micronised particles of monohydrate or anhydrous forms of IB with respect to lactose were 0.70 (R² = 0.998) and 0.77 (R² = 0.999), respectively. These data suggested that both samples had similar adhesion to lactose, which correlated with their similar in-vitro aerosolisation performance in DPI formulations. CONCLUSIONS: Monohydrate and anhydrous crystals of IB exhibited similar mechanical properties and interfacial properties upon secondary processing. As a result, the performance of the DPI formulations were similar.

Influence of primary crystallisation conditions on the mechanical and interfacial properties of micronised budesonide for dry powder inhalation.

Investigate the influence of primary crystallisation conditions on the mechanical properties and secondary processing behaviour of budesonide for dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations. Young's modulus of two batches of budesonide crystals (samples A and B) produced using different anti-solvents was determined using nanoindentation. Physicochemical and surface interfacial properties via the cohesive-adhesive balance (CAB) approach to colloid probe atomic force microscopy (AFM) of air-jet micronised budesonide crystals were also investigated. These data were correlated to in vitro aerosolization performance of carrier-based DPI formulations containing either budesonide samples A or B and lactose monohydrate. Young's modulus of budesonide samples A and B crystals was 0.95 and 4.04 GPa, respectively. Sample A crystals with low Young's modulus exhibited poorer micronisation efficiency than sample B. CAB analysis of micronised budesonide samples A and B, suggest that sample B budesonide had a greater adhesion to lactose than sample A. These data correlated with in vitro aerosolisation studies, which showed that the fine particle delivery of budesonide sample A was higher than that of sample B. In conclusion, crystallisation conditions may affect the mechanical properties of budesonide, and therefore secondary processing of the material and their interfacial properties and product performance in carrier based DPI formulations.

Investigation into the influence of primary crystallization conditions on the mechanical properties and secondary processing behaviour of fluticasone propionate for carrier based dry powder inhaler formulations.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of primary crystallization conditions on the mechanical properties and secondary processing behaviour of fluticasone propionate (FP) for carrier based dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulations. METHODS: Young's modulus of FP crystals produced using different anti-solvents was determined using nanoindentation. Physicochemical and surface interfacial properties via the cohesive-adhesive balance (CAB) approach to colloid probe atomic force microscopy (AFM) of air-jet micronised FP crystals were investigated. These data were correlated to in vitro aerosolization performance of binary and combination DPI formulations containing salmeterol xinafoate (SX). RESULTS: Young's modulus of FP crystals produced using different anti-solvents ranged from 0.6-12.4 GPa. Crystals with low Young's modulus required multiple passes in the microniser to reduce the particle size to less than 5 µm, whilst those with the highest Young's modulus required a single pass. CAB of micronized FP samples was similar with respect to lactose, however, their adhesive affinity to SX varied. Samples of FP with greatest adhesion to SX produced greater fine particle delivery of SX in combination DPI formulations. CONCLUSIONS: Crystallisation conditions may affect the mechanical properties of FP, and therefore secondary processing of the material and their interfacial properties and product performance in carrier based DPI formulations.