Preformulation studies for atorvastatin calcium

This paper deals with the study of compatibility between antihyperlipidemic agent atorvastatin calcium trihydrate (ATV) and eight pharmaceutical excipients used in the development of solid dosage forms, namely citric acid, anhydrous lactose, magnesium citrate, magnesium carbonate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone K30, colloidal silica and sorbitol. As investigational tools, universal attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffractogram patterns were used for binary mixtures of ATV with each excipient at ambient condition and then completed by subjecting the samples to thermal stress using thermal analysis (TG/DTG/HF), in non-isothermal conditions and in oxidative medium. It was shown the binary mixtures do not present interactions between ATV and excipients when stored under ambient conditions for 2 months, while under thermal stress, ATV presents interactions with sorbitol.

     

Polymorphic screen and drug–excipient compatibility studies of the antichagasic benznidazole

The purpose of this study was to investigate the polymorphism and compatibility of benznidazole (BNZ), a drug used in the treatment of Chagas disease. This drug was subjected to a polymorphic screen using a number of solvents and precipitation procedures to explore the possible existence of different crystal structures of BNZ. The compatibility of BNZ with selected pharmaceutical excipients was evaluated in binary mixtures, in a ratio of 1:1 (w/w). These results were then analyzed with a variety of techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffractometry. No polymorphic forms of BNZ were detected despite some observed changes in the DSC profile. The thermal data indicate interaction of the drug with excipients hydroxyethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. Additional studies using infrared spectroscopy confirm the incompatibility of BNZ with only the polyethylene glycol. This excipient should not be used in the development of solid dosage forms containing BNZ.     

Application of thermal analysis to the study of antituberculosis drugs–excipient compatibility

First-line drugs (rifampicin, RIF; isoniazid, INH; ethambutol, ETA; and pyrazinamide, PZA) recommended in conventional treatment of tuberculosis were analyzed in 1:1 w/w binary mixtures with microcrystalline cellulose MC 101 (CEL) and lactose supertab^® (LAC) by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and Fourier transformed infrared analysis (FTIR) as part of development of fixed dose combination (FDC) tablets. Evidence of interaction between drug and pharmaceutical excipients was supposed when peaks disappearance or shifting were observed on DTA and DSC curves, as well as decreasing of decomposition temperature onset and TG profiles, comparing to pure species data submitted to the same conditions. LAC was showed to interact with RIF (absence of drug fusion and recrystallization events on DSC/DTA curves); INH (thermal events of the mixtures different from those observed for drug and excipient pure in DSC/DTA curves); PZA (decrease on drug fusion peak in DSC/DTA curves), and ETA (shift on drug onset fusion and absence of pure LAC events on DSC/DTA curves). In all cases, an important decrease on the temperature of drug decomposition was verified for the mixtures (TG analysis). However, FTIR analysis showed good correlation between theoretical and experimental drug-LAC spectra except for INH–LAC mixture, evidencing high incompatibility between these two species and suggesting that those interactions with PZA and RIF were thermally induced. No evidence of incompatibilities in CEL mixtures was observed to any of the four-studied drugs.     

tudy on compatibility of imatinib mesylate with pharmaceutical excipients

Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis with the support of X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy were used as screening techniques for the compatibility testing of imatinib mesylate, with following excipients: magnesium stearate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, microcrystalline cellulose. In order to maximize the probability of interactions 1:1 (by mass) drug: excipient binary mixtures were analysed and compared to individual components. Additionally an influence of storage at temperatures of 25 and 40°C on physico-chemical stability on drug – excipient binary mixtures was investigated. The largest visible changes were observed in the DSC curves of imatinib mesylate – magnesium stearate mixtures.     

Study of stability and drug-excipient compatibility of diethylcarbamazine citrate

Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) is the main drug used in the lymphatic filariasis treatment. This study aimed to evaluate drug-excipient compatibility of binary mixtures (BMs) (1:1, w/w), initially by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and subsequently, if there were any interaction evidence, by complementary techniques, such as thermogravimetric (TG), non-isothermal kinetics, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). For the analyses of the BMs by DSC, we selected those with Tabletose^®, representing the excipients containing lactose, polivinilpirrolidona (PVP), and magnesium stearate (MgS). The additional analyses by FT-IR and XRD showed no interaction evidence. The TG curves of DEC–Tabletose^® showed no signs of interaction, unlike the TG curves of PVP and MgS, confirming the results of non-isothermal kinetics, in which the BMs with PVP and MgS decreased the reaction activation energy. Thus, it was concluded after evaluation that the excipients, especially the PVP and MgS, should be avoided.     

Thermal analysis study of amlodipine as pure compound and in binary mixture

Amlodipine is a very used selective calcium antagonist. The evaluation of thermal stability is crucial for the formulation setting of a solid dosage form. By heating in air under non-isothermal conditions, amlodipine presents two characteristic steps. More details were obtained using IR spectrometric data of the pure compound of the char, respectively, of the evolved gases at those temperatures. Data on a possible interaction between amlodipine and some excipients used in solid dosage forms were obtained by comparison of TG/DTG/DTA curves of amlodipine and of its mixtures with talc (considered thermally inert), magnesium stearate, starch and cellulose. No thermally induced interactions were observed. In order to obtain data for a believable Life Time Prediction a kinetic analysis was performed. The data of the first step of mass loss obtained at four heating rates (7, 10, 12, and 15 °C min⁻¹, respectively) were processed using at least three different methods. From these, the NPK method seems to be adequate because the separation between the temperature, respective the conversion dependent part of the reaction rate equation and the expression of the formal kinetic equation were obtained in a less speculative manner.     

Compatibility study between indomethacin and excipients in their physical mixtures

Thermal analysis is a routine method for analysis of drugs and substances of pharmaceutical interest. Thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are thermoanalytical methods which offer important information about the physical and chemical properties of drugs (purity, stability, phase transition, polymorphism, compatibility, kinetic analysis, etc.). This work exemplifies a general method of studying the drug-excipient interactions with the aim of predicting rapidly and inexpensively the long thermal stability of their mixtures. The TG/DTG and DSC were used as screening techniques for assessing the compatibility between indomethacin (IND) and its physical associations as binary mixtures with some common excipients. Based on their frequent use in preformulations eleven different excipients: corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose (PH 101; PH 102), colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose (monohydrate and anhydre), polyvinilpyrrolidone K30, magnesium stearate, talc, stearic acid, and manitol were blended with IND. The samples were prepared by mixing the analyte and excipients in a proportion of 1:1 (w:w). In order to investigate the possible interactions between the components, the thermal curves of IND and each selected excipient were compared with those of their 1:1 (w/w) physical mixtures. FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction were used as complementary techniques to adequately implement and assist in interpretation of thermal results. On the basis of thermal results, confirmed by FT-IR and X-ray analyses, a possible interaction was found between IND with polyvinylpyrrolidone K30, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid.     

Preformulation studies on grewia gum as a formulation excipient

Grewia gum is a naturally occurring polysaccharide which has potential as a pharmaceutical excipient. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy techniques were used to examine the thermal and molecular behaviours, respectively, of mixtures of grewia gum with cimetidine, ibuprofen or standard excipients, to assess potential interactions. No disappearance or broadening of the melting endotherm was seen with cimetidine or ibuprofen. Similarly, there was no interaction between grewia gum and the standard excipients tested. The results obtained using thermal analyses were supported by FT-IR analysis of the material mixtures. Grewia gum is an inert natural polymer which can be used alone or in combination with other excipients in the formulation of pharmaceutical dosage forms.     

Carvedilol: decomposition kinetics and compatibility with pharmaceutical excipients

Carvedilol (CARVE) is an important cardiovascular drug with limited bioavailability. To improve its therapeutic performance, the investigation of new dosage forms is of great interest due its relevance in clinical applications. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the stability of CARVE and its drug–excipient compatibility to support its pharmaceutical development. Kinetic analysis under isothermal conditions using thermogravimetry was performed to determine the activation energy of CARVE through an Arrhenius plot. Differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and optical microscopy were used to test binary mixtures of CARVE and selected excipients. The activation energy of CARVE was 81.2 kJ mol^?1, and from the compatibility studies, all the excipients showed strong thermal interactions, presenting changes in the melting profile of the drug. In addition, analytical assays revealed no physical or chemical changes; because of this, all eight excipients studied are considered compatible and are recommended in formulations containing CARVE. All the evidence together attests to the low chemical reactivity of CARVE and provides useful information for the development of new pharmaceutical formulations containing CARVE.     

The thermal stability of triprolidine hydrochloride and its mixtures with cyclodextrin and glucose

Triprolidine hydrochloride (C₁₉H₂₂N₂·HCl·H₂O) (TPH) is a well-known antihistamine drug which is reported as being photosensitive. The thermal stabilities of TPH and of 1:1 molar and 1:1 mass ratio physical mixtures of TPH with β-cyclodextrin (BCD) and with glucose have been examined using DSC, TG and TG-FTIR, complemented by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopic (IR) studies. Thermal studies of the solid TPH/BCD mixtures indicated that interaction between the components occurs and it is possible that the TPH molecule may be least partially accommodated in the cavity of the BCD host molecule. XRD results support this indication of inclusion. The results of molecular modelling suggest that TPH is most likely to be accommodated in the BCD cavity as a neutral triprolidine molecule with the toluene portion of the molecule preferentially included in the cavity. The results obtained illustrate the general stability of TPH. The study has also shown TPH to be compatible with both glucose and BCD, which are potential excipients both in solid and liquid dosage forms. The presence of these excipients in dosage forms will thus not adversely affect the stability and the therapeutic efficacy of TPH. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Compatibility study between ibuprofen and excipients in their physical mixtures

The thermal techniques of analysis were used to assess the compatibility between ibuprofen (IB) and some excipients used in the development of extended released formulations. This study is a part of a systematic study undertaken to find and optimizes a general method of detecting the drug–excipient interactions, with the aim of predicting rapidly and assuring the long-term stability of pharmaceutical product and speeding up its marketing. The thermal properties of IB and its physical association as binary mixtures with some common excipients were evaluated by thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry. FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) were used as complementary techniques to adequately implement and assist in interpretation of the thermal results. Based on their frequent use in preformulations nine different excipients: starch; microcrystalline cellulose (PH 101 and PH 102); colloidal silicon dioxide; lactose (monohydrate and anhydre); polyvinylpyrrolidone; magnesium stearate and talc were blended with IB. The samples were prepared by mixing the analyte and excipients in a proportion of 1:1 (w:w). The TG/DSC curves of the IB have shown a single stage of mass loss between 175 and 290 °C, respectively, an endothermic peak at 78.5 °C, which corresponds to the melting (literature T _m = 75–78 °C).     

Application of thermal analysis in study of binary mixtures with metformin

Thermal analysis is an essential analytical tool in development of new formulations as well as to study the interaction between drugs and excipients. This work aims to investigate the possible interactions between metformin and excipients as microcrystalline cellulose (Microcel MC101®), starch sodium glycolate (Explosol®), sodium croscarmellose (Explosel®), PVP K30, magnesium stearate, starch and lactose, usually employed in pharmaceutical products. TG, DSC and DTA techniques were used for the thermal characterization to track if the thermal properties of the drug substance were modified in the mixture. Disregard of the starch and lactose systems, no changes in thermal behavior of mixtures were found. Thermogravimetric studies (TG) of metformin and its binary mixtures showed different thermal behavior.     

Compatibility study of tobramycin and pharmaceutical excipients using differential scanning calorimetry,FTIR, DRX,and HPLC

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), isothermal stress testing–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (IST–FTIR), isothermal stress testing–high-performance liquid chromatography, and powder X-ray diffraction (PDRX) were used as screening techniques for assessing the compatibility of tobramycin with some currently employed ophthalmic excipients. In the first phase of the study, DSC was used as a tool to detect any interaction. The absolute value of the difference between the enthalpy of the pure tobramycin melting peak and that of its melting peak in the different analyzed mixtures was chosen as a parameter of the drug–excipient interaction degree. DSC results demonstrated that benzalkonium chloride, monobasic sodium phosphate, boric acid, edetate disodium, sodium metabisulfite, thimerosal, and potassium sorbate interact with tobramycin. Taking into account these results, it could be suggested that some of the changes observed in the IST–FTIR spectra of binary blends of tobramycin and some of the excipients would account for a possible interaction between the mixture component. In this study, PDRX did not provide much information, since only tobramycin–thimerosal interactions could be detected. DSC and IST–FTIR are suitable and simple methods for the detection of potential incompatibilities between active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and excipients.

     

Compatibility study of the acetylsalicylic acid with different solid dosage forms excipients

This study is part of a research project aimed to find and optimize methods by which drug-excipient compatibility can be reliably and quickly assessed. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the compatibility of the acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, with pharmaceutical excipients of common use including diluents, binders, disintegrants, lubricants and solubilising agents. In order to investigate the possible interactions between ASA and eleven excipients differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry analysis completed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray powder diffraction were used for compatibility study. The DSC has proven to be, among the selected analytical techniques, the most sensitive and specific in assessing the compatibility. The samples, as physical mixtures, were prepared by mixing the analyte and excipients in a proportion of 1:1 (w:w). On the basis of thermal results (especially DSC), confirmed by FT-IR and X-ray analysis, a possible chemical interaction was found between the ASA with polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP) and magnesium stearate, respectively a possible physical interaction with colloidal silicon dioxide and stearic acid (Ac. St.).     

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy supported by multivariate statistics in compatibility study of atenolol with excipients

The objective of this study was to use Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and multivariate statistics to investigate compatibility/incompatibility of atenolol as a representative of active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients, such as β-cyclodextrin, methylcellulose, starch and chitosan, when used in solid dosage formulations. Two-component physical mixtures consisting of atenolol and selected excipients were studied by FTIR spectroscopy and two methods of multivariate statistical analysis – principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA), which were used as a supplementary tool for interpretation of the FTIR spectra. Taking into account variability explained by the first two principal components, the results of PCA were visualized in the form of a bi-dimensional scatterplot. A lack of interaction was confirmed by two distinct clusters created by both atenolol and a particular excipient with their mixtures. In the case of CA, lack of interaction between both ingredients was also indicated by two large clusters at a level of 33 or 66% of the maximum distance. The results of the investigations show that with the exception of β-cyclodextrin, the remaining excipients are compatible with atenolol. These findings were confirmed by complementary methods, such as differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry and X-ray powder diffraction.     

Compatibility studies of aceclofenac with retard tablet excipients by means of thermal and FT-IR spectroscopic methods

The compatibility of aceclofenac with various tableting excipients was investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The excipients applied in the direct pressing retard tablets were Carbopol 940, hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, Aerosil 200 and magnesium stearate. The ingredients alone and their 1:1 (w/w) binary mixtures were investigated before and after accelerated storage. An interaction was observed only between aceclofenac and magnesium stearate. The DSC and FT-IR examinations indicated formation of the magnesium salt of aceclofenac. For the other mixtures, there was no incompatibility between the components.     

Compatibility studies of trioxsalen with excipients by DSC,DTA, and FTIR

Psoralens are widely used for the treatment of psoriasis. Trioxsalen is a drug prescribed low-dose, belonging to the group of substituted psoralen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of trioxsalen with pharmaceutical excipients used in the solid forms by analytical techniques. Binary mixtures between the trioxsalen and pharmaceutical excipients (namely, magnesium stearate, α-lactose, microcrystalline cellulose 102, pregelatinized starch, mannitol, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium starch glycolate, and croscarmellose sodium) were examined. The trioxsalen–sodium lauryl sulfate mixture displayed some physical interaction based on the DTA and DSC results, but the FTIR study ruled out any chemical change.     

Thermal decomposition kinetics and compatibility studies of primaquine under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions

Primaquine (PQ) is the drug of choice for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria, and currently being administered in solid dosage form. In this study, the compatibility studies were carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR). Non-isothermal and isothermal methods were employed to investigate kinetic parameters under nitrogen and air atmospheres using TG. The DSC investigations obtained by physical mixtures showed slight alterations in the melting temperatures of PQ with some excipients. The FT-IR confirmed the possible interactions obtained by DSC for the physical mixtures with PQ and lactose, magnesium stearate and mannitol. The results showed that the thermal decomposition followed a zero order kinetic in both atmospheres in non-isothermal method. The activation energy in both methods using nitrogen atmosphere was similar, and in air atmosphere the activation energy decreased.     

Thermal,spectroscopic, and dissolution studies of ketoconazole–Pluronic F127 system

One strategy for improving the dissolution of poorly water soluble drugs is to prepare solid dispersions such as binary mixtures with hydrophilic carriers. These mixtures are generally characterized by better solubility than those of the individual components from which they are formed. In the present study, solid dispersions of ketoconazole (KET) with Pluronic F127 (PLU) were prepared by the grinding method. Solid–liquid equilibria in the system being studied were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. A phase diagram for the whole range of compositions was constructed. The investigation revealed that ketoconazole and Pluronic F127 form a simple eutectic system containing 4.4 % w/w of ketoconazole at the eutectic point. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffractometry studies of obtained mixtures suggest that there is no drug-carrier interaction and both components are crystalline in the solid dispersion with the whole range of composition. The prepared mixtures show an appreciable improvement of the dissolution rate of KET in 0.5 % w/v sodium lauryl sulfate. The improvement of the dissolution rate of drug is additionally increased by effective solubilization.