RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In pediatrics, developing new pharmaceutical forms that offer safety and efficacy is crucial to improve pediatric pharmaceutical care. Orodispersible tablets do not require swallowing because orodispersible tablets dissolve quickly in the mouth, reducing the risk of choking and making medication administration safer and more straightforward. There is no solid dosage form in the pharmaceutical market offering a unit dose of Levothyroxine for pediatric hypothyroidism patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to design and develop Orodispersible mini tablets of Levothyroxine Sodium (LT4 ODMTs) for pediatric doses. METHODS: LT4 ODMTs were prepared by direct compression with 10 and 15 µg, respectively, using StarLac® and Disolcel® as excipients. United States Pharmacopeia (USP-43) guidelines evaluated and determined pre-compression properties and quality control parameters. RESULTS: The LT4 ODMTs met the specified limits for quality controls. The Drug Content Uniformity was 97%, Hardness was less than 2.5 N, Friability was less than 0.3%, Disintegration time was less than 25 s, and dissolution profiles (Q 80% > 45 s) followed the USP requirements. Additionally, stability and microbiology assays were realized. CONCLUSION: These formulations are optimal for developing new LT4 ODMTs suitable for treating pediatric hypothyroidism.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: In many countries, hypertension in the pediatric population is considered a serious risk of mortality and morbidity. In this respect, it is central to design and develop new pharmaceutical forms for pediatric patients with hypertension. The development of Orodispersible Mini-Tablets (ODMTs) for pediatric use has gained importance in recent years. Therefore, regulations for developing suitable and palatable dosage forms for pediatric patients have been established by WHO authorities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to design and develop orodispersible mini tablets of enalapril maleate (EnM ODMTs) for pediatric use. METHODS: Five pharmaceutical formulations (A, B, C, D and E, shown in Table 1) were designed. The effects of different co-processed excipients and active pharmaceutical ingredients at different doses were studied. Lactose co-processed excipients selected were the following: Tablettose® 80, Microce- Lac® 100 and StarLac®. The micromeritic properties for all the physical mixtures were examined. The mini tablets were obtained by direct compression. Quality control parameters were determined in accordance with US Pharmacopeia. RESULTS: Three OMDTs with StarLac® showed good results of hardness, flow ability and fast disintegration. The formulation with 0.1 mg of enalapril maleate presented the best results for the official parameters of hardness (4.0 kp), friability (< 1%), disintegration time (28 s), drug content uniformity (103.6 %), and wetting time (23 s). CONCLUSION: The three OMDTs with StarLac® showed good quality parameters, according to official requirements. Formulation A exhibited the best wetting time, complying with the dose recommended for pediatric patients. This formulation could be considered eligible for being manufactured at industrial scale.
