Evaluating the Flow and Release Profiles of Ibuprofen Formulations by Increasing the Binder Concentration

Background: Tablets must be able to release the active drug in the gastrointestinal tract for absorption. The release profile of solid pharmaceutical dosage formulations can be quantified by assessing the disintegration and dissolution times tests. Binders are adhesives either from sugar or polymeric material that are added to tablet formulations to provide the cohesiveness required for the bonding together of the granules under compaction to form tablets.Objective: The objective of the study was to formulate and assess ibuprofen tablets using different concentrations of binders (Acacia and Gelatin).Methods: The granules were prepared using wet granulation method and analysed for flow properties based on USP/NF protocols. After granule compression, the tablets release profiles were thereafter assessed via the tablet dissolution and disintegration tests.Results: Weight variation, thickness and diameter were within the acceptable values for all batches indicative of a uniform flow. Batches with binder concentrations of 10 % and 20 % failed disintegration test due to a disintegration time above 15 min while the release rate for batches 1 and 4 was about 88 % in 60 min as against the other batches whose release rate was less than 50 % in 60 min as a result of increasing their binder concentrations.Conclusion: The study concluded that increasing the concentration of acacia and gelatin above 5% led to a decrease in percentage of drug released and an increase in disintegration time above 30 mins because 5% batches gave the best release profiles.

The elastic recovery, ejection work, strength and dissolution of instant coffee tablet containing croscarmellose sodium disintegrant

Croscarmellose sodium disintegrant agent, commonly used in the pharmaceutical tablet formulation was employed in the instant coffee tablet formulation. Various compositions of croscarmellose sodium were added to the instant coffee tablet formulation; 20% w/w, 40% w/w, 60% w/w and 80% w/w respectively. These mixtures were then compacted through the uniaxial die compaction process forming 1 g tablets having 13 mm diameters each at various compaction pressures of 37.7 MPa, 75.4 MPa, 113.0 MPa and 150.7 MPa. The ejection work done when ejecting the tablet from the die was calculated to represent the frictional resistance to tablet motion during ejection. The tablet elastic recovery was measured as a quantitative measure of the tablet physical dimensional stability. Meanwhile, the mechanical strength, as well as the tablet dissolution, were also measured. The results showed that the croscarmellose composition and the compaction pressure affected all the studied tabletting properties. Generally, croscarmellose sodium increased the tablet elastic recovery and lowered the tablet ejection work, tensile strength and dissolution time in experimental conditions employed in this work. However, the extent of the croscarmellose sodium influence was clearly dependent upon the compaction pressures used for instant coffee tablet formation.

Optimization of Process Parameters for Formulation of Fluvastatin Tablet by Using Dry Granulation Method

The manufacturing process of the tablet is a very complex process; it can be affected by the several process parameters or variables. The aim of this study was to understand and optimize the process parameters such as mixing, granulation, lubrication and tablets compression processes using quality by design (QbD) approach for a model Anti- Hyperlipidemic drug Fluvastatin sodium. During the processes there are several parameters which may influence or affect product quality. So the main objective of present work was to identify various process parameters and optimize this parameter, for the formulation of good quality product which needs to optimize Blending time, Roller force, Compression force and machine speed. A scale up batch was taken to evaluate and optimize the parameters. Critical quality attributes (CQA) such as flow behavior, granules parameters, Blend uniformity, tablet appearance, effect on tablet quality like physical appearance (surface, weight etc.) and tablet dissolution time as well as drug release. The test results of following parameters at various in-process phases are complies with the specified limits and finished product sample results were found to be within specified limits. This study results assures the manufacturing process is reproducible, robust and will yield consistent product, which meets specification. Keywords: Process Parameters, Quality by Design, Fluvastatin, Granulation, Blending, Compression etc,.

Quality and Brands of Amoxicillin Formulations in Nairobi, Kenya

Antibiotics are among the most counterfeited anti-infectious medicines in developing countries. Amoxicillin is one of the commonly prescribed, affordable, and easily accessible antibiotic in Kenya. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic hence commonly used in chemotherapy. This study sought to determine the quality and identify the various brands of amoxicillin and its combination amoxicillin/clavulanic acid marketed in Nairobi County. Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya, gateway for imports and exports, and the headquarters to most of the pharmaceutical distributors. Ten wards in Nairobi County representing different socioeconomic settings were purposively sampled for the study. A detailed questionnaire was used to collect background data on brands of amoxicillin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in the market. A total of 106 different brands were found in the market: 85 were imports while 21 were locally manufactured. Fifty-three samples were analyzed with reference to the United States Pharmacopoeia. Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid contents for oral suspensions were determined immediately after reconstitution and 7 days thereafter to determine their stability during the prescription period. On day seven, 23.1% (3 out of 13) of amoxicillin and 66.7% (8 out of 12) amoxicillin/clavulanic acid oral suspensions presented levels below recommended limits. Uniformity of weight for amoxicillin capsules noted 13.6% (3 out of 22) failure rate, while amoxicillin/clavulanic acid tablets complied. Potency determination for all amoxicillin capsules analyzed were within required limits, but amoxicillin/clavulanic acid tablets showed 33.3% (2 out of 6) noncompliance. For amoxicillin capsule and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid tablet dissolution tests, there was 10.5% (2 out of 19) and 50% (2 out of 4) noncompliance, respectively. Overall, 37.7% of the drugs analyzed failed to comply with the Pharmacopoeia. These results highlight the presence of poor-quality amoxicillin formulations in Nairobi County, affirming the need for regular postmarket surveillance to inform on the situation of antibiotic quality in the Kenyan market.

0545 Bi-Layer Melatonin Tablet Provides Immediate and Extended Absorption to Address Primary Sleep Issues

Introduction Melatonin is a naturally-occurring hormone that functions in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Exogenous melatonin has demonstrated utility for the induction and maintenance of sleep. Modulation of tablet dissolution rates can be achieved by strategically using binding agents in two layers to rapidly raise melatonin levels and sustain elevated levels over time to better emulate normal nocturnal melatonin secretion. Methods A randomized, double-blind, controlled cross-over study was conducted in healthy adults (n=18) to investigate the pharmacokinetics of a 4.5 mg melatonin bi-layer tablet with either prolonged-release (PR) or immediate-release (IR) characteristics. Blood samples were collected at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 h post-ingestion and melatonin concentrations were quantified. Results The PR formulation had a lower maximum concentration (Cmax, p<0.002), but a longer time to reach maximum concentration (Tmax, p<0.001). Absorption rate constant (Ka) and terminal disposition rate constant (λ) were both lower in PR melatonin than the IR formulation (p<0.001), indicating slower absorption and elimination rates. These measures were consistent with significantly greater absorption (ta1/2, p<0.002) and elimination half-lives (t1/2, p<0.001) in the IR formulation compared to the PR formulation. Additionally, plasma melatonin concentrations reached pre-ingestion values by 8 h post-administration of the PR formulation, indicating that individuals sleeping for a recommended 7-9 hours will wake with normal melatonin levels, when taken an hour before bedtime. Conclusion Prolonged-release bi-layer melatonin tablet safely and effectively extends the absorption of exogenous melatonin compared to an immediate-release formulation. Support Pharmavite, LLC