Drug-excipient compatibility studies by physico-chemical techniques; The case of Indomethacin

This work exemplifies a general method of studying the drug excipient interactions, with the aim of predicting rapidly and inexpensively the long term stability of their mixtures. We study the physico-chemical properties of a drug (indomethacin) in the solid state and in different combinations with several excipients (PVP=polyvinylpyrrolidone, MGST=magnesium stearate, Avicel^©). We compare the properties of pure compounds (untreated, or moisture/temperature conditioned) with those of binary mixtures drug:excipient which underwent the same treatment. The purpose is to find indications of interactions within the mixtures, which means a potential incompatibility of the excipient. Both morphological and thermal properties are sensitive to interactions which leave mostly unmodified the IR spectra and the X-rays patterns. In particular, we find that indomethacin does interact with PVP and MGST, but is certainly compatible with Avicel^©.     

Drug-excipient compatibility studies in binary and ternary mixtures by physico-chemical techniques

This work is part of a systematic study undertaken to find and optimize a general method of detecting the drug-excipient interactions, with the aim of predicting rapidly and inexpensively the long term stability of a pharmaceutical product and speed up its marketing. Here, in particular, the compatibility of haloperidol with several excipients (PVP, magnesium stearate and α-lactose) in binary and ternary mixtures, both as prepared and ball-milled, has been assessed by thermal methods, electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The differences between the experimental behaviour of the systems and that expected as weighted average of similarly treated pure components are interaction indicators. The DSC has proven to be, among the selected analytical techniques, the most sensitive and specific in assessing the compatibility. A strong interaction has been observed between PVP and haloperidol. It is favoured by the mechanical stress and is more evident in the composition 20:80. On the contrary, α-lactose and magnesium stearate were found to be compatible with the drug.     

Thermal analysis and compatibility studies of prednicarbate with excipients used in semi solid pharmaceutical form

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) techniques were used to investigate the compatibility between prednicarbate and several excipients commonly used in semi solid pharmaceutical form. The thermoanalytical studies of 1:1 (m/m) drug/excipient physical mixtures showed that the beginning of the first thermal decomposition stage of the prednicarbate (T _onset value) was decreased in the presence of stearyl alcohol and glyceryl stearate compared to the drug alone. For the binary mixture of drug/sodium pirrolidone carboxilate the first thermal decomposition stage was not changed, however the DTG peak temperature (T _{peak DTG}) decreased. The comparison of the IR spectra of the drug, the physical mixtures and of the thermally treated samples confirmed the thermal decomposition of prednicarbate. By the comparison of the thermal profiles of 1:1 prednicarbate:excipients mixtures (methylparaben, propylparaben, carbomer 940, acrylate crosspolymer, lactic acid, light liquid paraffin, isopropyl palmitate, myristyl lactate and cetyl alcohol) no interaction was observed.     

FTIR, XRD, and DSC analysis of the rosemary extract effect on polyethylene structure and biodegradability

The purpose of this research study was evaluation of the utility of two common multivariate techniques, agglomerative cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA), as supplementary means of detecting incompatibilities, which can occur between active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients at the preformulation stage of a solid dosage form. For the detection of incompatibilities between atenolol (beta blocker) and selected excipients (mannitol, lactose, starch, methylcellulose, β-cyclodextrin, meglumine, chitosan, polyvinylpyrrolidone and magnesium stearate), the thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were chosen. The results have shown that compatibility between atenolol and an excipient can be identified in a CA dendrogram by two large clusters, from which one groups an excipient and physical mixtures with a high concentration of the excipient. Another cluster encompasses atenolol and mixtures with a high content of the drug. In the PCA plot, all samples are located along the first principal component axis (PC1), beginning from a single component located with the most negative PC1 value, through mixtures with gradually varying concentration of both ingredients, till the second component located close to the most positive PC1 values. The results have shown that CA and PCA fulfil their role as supporting techniques in the interpretation of the data acquired from the TG curves, and the obtained data are compatible with the results of DSC and FTIR analyses.     

Drug-Excipient Compatibility Studies. Search of interaction indicators

This paper is the first one of a research project aimed to find and optimize methods by which drug-excipient compatibility can be reliably and quickly assessed. A number of experimental techniques (simultaneous TG-DSC, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy) have been used to investigate the compatibility between a novel tricyclic β-lactam antibiotic developed by GlaxoWellcome (now GlaxoSmithKline), GV118819x, and some commonly used excipients (poly(vinylpyrrolidone), magnesium stearate and α-lactose). Binary mixtures of two different compositions have been analyzed: drug:excipient=80:20 and 20:80 (mass/mass). Both qualitative and quantitative interaction indicators have been identified. It is shown that simultaneous thermal analysis is the best suited technique in the search of interaction indicators. With a proper selection of experimental conditions it is able to reveal the thermal changes brought about by the early stages of interaction, i.e. those occurring during the measurement on physical mixtures not previously annealed under stress conditions. Such an ability is discussed, in particular, with respect to the role of the water vapour, which has been found to be a critical parameter for all our systems. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal analysis applied in the osmotic tablets pre-formulation studies

Osmotically controlled and oral drug delivery systems utilize osmotic pressure for controlled delivery of active agent(s). Drug delivery from these systems, to a large extent, is independent of the physiological factors of the gastrointestinal tract and these systems can be utilized for systemic as well as targeted delivery of drugs. We apply the thermal methods and IR spectroscopy to study compatibility between atenolol and several excipients usually found in the osmotic systems formulations (Polyethylene oxide, MW 3350, 100000, 200000 and 5000000; HPMC K4000, magnesium stearate and cellulose acetate. Cellulose acetate, HPMC K4000 and magnesium stearate have essentially no interaction with atenolol otherwise all Polyethylene oxide excipients modifies significantly the drug melting point indicating some extend of interaction.     

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.     

Structure and swelling-release behaviour of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and acrylic acid (AAc) copolymer hydrogels prepared by gamma irradiation

Copolymer network hydrogels were prepared by gamma irradiation of aqueous solutions of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and acrylic acid monomer (AAc). The composition of the final hydrogels compared to the composition of the initial preparation solutions of hydrogels was determined. The chemical structure and nature of bonding was characterized by IR spectroscopy analysis, while the thermal durability of the prepared hydrogels was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The kinetic swelling in water and the pH-sensitivity of PVP/AAc copolymer hydrogels was studied. The drug release properties of PVP/AAc hydrogels taking methyl orange indicator as a drug model was investigated. The IR spectra indicate the formation of copolymer networks, whereas the TGA study showed that the PVP/AAc hydrogels possess higher thermal stability than pure PAAc and lower than PVP hydrogels. The kinetic swelling in water showed that all the hydrogels reached equilibrium after 24 h and that the degree of swelling increases with increasing the ratio of AAc in the initial feeding solutions. It was found that the degree of swelling of PVP/AAc hydrogels increases greatly within the pH range 4-7 depending on composition.     

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.).     

Characterization of solid dispersions of rofecoxib using differential scanning calorimeter

Summary Solid dispersions were prepared to enhance the dissolution rate of rofecoxib. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for the characterization of solid dispersions of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP):talc:drug (3:1:1) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC):talc:drug (4:1:1). The DSC study indicated that PVP solid dispersion showed formation of fusion solution while HPMC solid dispersion showed no intermolecular fusion during the preparation of solid dispersions by spray dry process. The dissolution profiles and the calculated times for 75 and 90% drug release showed that dissolution rate of rofecoxib was improved in solid dispersions as compared to pure drug and physical mixtures. The DSC and XRD were successfully employed to find out the crystalline state of drug in the both solid dispersions. PVP solid dispersion gave better dissolution rate than HPMC solid dispersion. The drug was transformed from crystalline to amorphous form in PVP solid dispersion which was further conformed by XRD and DSC. The PVP:talc:drug solid dispersion can be used for the dissolution enhancement and thereby bioavailability of rofecoxib.     

Thermal Behavior of Paracetamol-Polymeric Excipients Mixtures

The thermal behavior of binary mixtures of paracetamol and a polymeric excipient (microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and cross-linked poly(vinylpyrrolidone)) was investigated. The physical mixtures, ranging from 50 to 90% by mass of drug, were submitted to a heating-cooling-heating program in the 35–180°C temperature range. Solid-state analysis was performed by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot stage microscopy (HSM), micro-Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (MFTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The polymeric excipients were found to address in a reproducible manner the recrystallization of molten paracetamol within the binary mixture into Form II or Form III. The degree of crystallinity of paracetamol in the binary mixtures, evaluated from fusion enthalpies during the first and second heating scans, was influenced by the composition of the mixture, the nature of the excipient and the thermal history. In particular, DSC on mixtures with cross-linked poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose with drug contents below 65 and75%, respectively, evidenced the presence only of amorphous paracetamol after the cooling phase. Microcrystalline cellulose was very effective in directing the recrystallization of molten paracetamol as Form II. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

One‐step synthesis of poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)‐g‐poly‐1‐vinylpyrrolidin‐2‐one copolymers

The radical polymerization of 1‐vinylpyrrolidin‐2‐one (NVP) in poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) 50:50 at 100 °C leads to amphiphilic PLGA‐g‐PVP copolymers. Their composition is determined by FT‐IR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analyses agree with FT‐IR determinations. Saponification of the PLGA‐g‐PVP polyester portion allows isolating the PVP side chains and measuring their molecular weight, from which the average chain transfer constant (C_T) of the PLGA units is estimated. The MALDI‐TOF spectra of PVP reveal the presence at one chain end of residues of either glycolic acid‐ or lactic acid‐ or lactic/glycolic acid dimers, trimers and one tetramer, the other terminal being hydrogen. This unequivocally demonstrates that grafting occurred. Accordingly, the orthogonal solvent pair ethyl acetate—methanol, while separating the components of PLGA/PVP intimate mixtures, fails to separate pure PVP or PLGA from the reaction products. All PLGA‐g‐PVP and PLGA/PLGA‐g‐PVP blends, but not PLGA/PVP blends, give long‐time stable dispersions in water. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1919–1928     

Application of TA and Kinetic Study to Compatibility and Stability Problems in Some Commercial Drugs. Remarks on statistical data

A thermal analysis and kinetic study on decomposition processes of some commercial drugs have been carried out to find their thermal stability. DSC/TG curves of some commercial drugs were compared with those of their active components, the excipients, the active component/excipient and the excipient/excipient mixtures. A kinetic study was carried out using both isothermal and dynamic TG curves. Both active components and commercial drugs tested show a first order decomposition mechanism. The kinetic data showed that excipients cause a decrease of the kinetic stability of the active components. Statistical analysis allowed us to select reliable kinetic parameters related to decomposition processes. This procedure showed that the values obtained by extrapolation,outside the temperature range where the processes occurred must be used with caution. Indeed half-time and shelf-time values, commonly used at room temperature, seemed to be unrealistic. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Size control of semimetal bismuth nanoparticles and the UV-visible and IR absorption spectra

We introduced a simple chemical method to synthesize semimetal bismuth nanoparticles in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) by reducing Bi(3+) with sodium borohydride (NaBH(4)) in the presence of poly(vinylpyrroldone) (PVP) at room temperature. The size and dispersibility of Bi nanoparticles can be easily controlled by changing the synthetic conditions such as the molar ratio of PVP to BiCl(3) and the concentration of BiCl(3). The UV-visible absorption spectra of Bi nanoparticles of different diameters are systematically studied. The surface plasmon peaks broaden with the increasing molar ratio of PVP to BiCl(3) as the size of bismuth nanoparticles decreases. Infrared (IR) spectra of the complexes with different molar ratios of PVP/BiCl(3) show a strong interaction between the carboxyl oxygen (C=O) of PVP and Bi(3+) ion and a weak interaction between the carboxyl oxygen (C=O) of PVP and the Bi atom in nanoparticles. This indicates that PVP serves as an effective capping ligand, which prevents the nanoparticles from aggregation.     

Propylene sorption and coordinative interactions for poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone‐co‐vinyl acetate)/silver salt complex membranes

When poly(N‐vinyl pyrrolidone‐co‐vinyl acetate) (PVP‐co‐PVAc) containing amide and ester groups were complexed with silver salts to form silver polymer electrolyte membranes, their separation performance of propylene/propane mixtures showed the high selectivity of propylene over propane of 55 and the high mixed gas permeance of 12 GPU (1 GPU = 1.0 × 10^?6 cm³(STP) cm^?2 s^?1 cmHg^?1). The separation performance strongly depends on the composition of the copolymer: the higher concentration of PVP in the copolymer, the better separation performance was achieved. These results suggest that the amide group is more effective in facilitated propylene transport than the ester group, primarily due to the stronger interaction of the silver ions with the amide than the ester oxygens, as demonstrated by FT‐IR and FT‐Raman spectroscopies. In‐situ FT‐IR spectra upon propylene sorption also demonstrate that the interaction strength of the silver ions with the ligands is arranged: amide > C?C > ester. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2263–2269, 2007     

Physicochemical characterization of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor alogliptin in physical mixtures with excipients

Alogliptin (ALG) is a hypoglycemic drug used in diabetes which inhibits the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), preventing the degradation of incretins, stimulating insulin secretion. The physicochemical characteristics of ALG were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS). The compatibility studies were carried out between ALG and excipients (physical mixtures, 1:1) using DSC, TG, diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and hot-stage microscopy. ALG presented purity near to 99%, melted in the range of 179.4–187.2 °C, followed by decomposition which started in 198.0 °C. SEM/EMS analysis of ALG presented irregular crystals and traces of impurities as copper and lead. DSC investigations obtained by physical mixtures showed minor alterations in the melting ranges of ALG with mannitol, magnesium stearate and commercial tablets. Solubilization of ALG in the fused excipient was observed by hot-stage microscopy between mannitol and ALG, and in tablets. The interaction observed in the mixture with magnesium stearate is due to the melting of the excipient and drug separately, first the excipient and then the drug. FTIR showed additional bands related to the excipients. XRPD proved that ALG has a crystal form and no alterations in the ALG profile were observed after the mixtures. ALG was compatible with all excipients tested. These results were important to understand the characteristics, stability and compatibility of the drug, and proved to be useful in preformulation studies.

     

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.     

Toward understanding the high PDT efficacy of chlorin e6-polyvinylpyrrolidone formulations: photophysical and molecular aspects of photosensitizer-polymer interaction in vitro

It is recognized that chlorin e6-polyvinylpyrrolidone (Ce6-PVP) formulations are characterized by a high efficacy in photodynamic therapy of malignant tumors. Currently, a commercially available formulation of this type is Photolon((R)) (Fotolon((R))) with Ce6:PVP=1:1 (w/w) and the weight-average molecular weight of PVP is 1.2x10(4). To gain a better understanding of the role played by PVP in Ce6-PVP formulations, we carry out experiments on IR and UV-VIS absorption, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence, time-resolved triplet-triplet absorption, octanol-water partitioning, and solubility of chlorin e6 in buffer solutions at pH 6.3, 7.4, and 8.5 in presence of PVP with Ce6:PVP ratios ranging from 1:0 to 1:1000 (w/w) for PVP samples with weight-average molecular weights of 8x10(3), 1.2x10(4), and 4.2x10(4). We show that Ce6 interacts with PVP by forming molecular complexes via hydrophobic interactions and determine the Ce6-PVP binding constant, as well as the mean number of PVP monomers per binding site. We find that complexation of Ce6 with PVP prevents Ce6 aggregation in aqueous media and leads to an enhancement of Ce6 fluorescence quantum yield, while keeping the quantum yield of the intersystem crossing essentially unchanged. Possible scenarios of how the presence of PVP can favorably affect the PDT efficacy of chlorin e6 in Ce6-PVP formulations are discussed.