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J Siepmann

Publications and source records attributed to J Siepmann.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PLGA-based microparticles: elucidation of mechanisms and a new, simple mathematical model quantifying drug release.

The two major aims of this study were: (i) to elucidate the underlying release mechanisms from drug-loaded, erodible microparticles based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) showing biphasic drug release behavior: an initial 'burst' effect, followed by a zero order release phase; and (ii) to develop a new, simple mathematical model that allows the quantitative description of the observed in vitro drug release patterns from this type of delivery system. PLGA-based microparticles offer various advantages, such as the possibility to control the resulting drug release rate accurately over prolonged periods of time, easiness of administration (e.g., by stereotaxic injection), good biocompatibility and complete erosion (avoiding the removal of empty remnants). Consequently, the practical importance of these advanced drug delivery systems is remarkably increasing. However, only little knowledge is yet available concerning the processes controlling the release rate of the drug out of these devices. Various chemical and physical phenomena are involved, rendering the identification of the crucial mechanisms and the mathematical description of the resulting drug release kinetics difficult. In the present study, different physicochemical characterization methods (e.g., DSC, SEM, SEC, particle size analysis) were used to monitor the changes occurring within anticancer drug-loaded PLGA microparticles upon exposure to phosphate buffer pH 7.4. Based on these experimental findings, the most important underlying drug release rate controlling mechanisms were identified and a new mathematical model was developed that allows the quantitative description of the resulting release patterns.

Buffers↗

Understanding and predicting drug delivery from hydrophilic matrix tablets using the "sequential layer" model.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this work were (i) to study and understand the physicochemical phenomena which are involved in the swelling and drug release from hydrophilic matrix tablets using the "sequential layer" model, and (ii) to predict the effect of the initial radius height and size of the tablets on the resulting drug release profiles. METHODS: Tablets were prepared by direct compression, using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) grades with different average molecular weights as matrix-forming polymers. The in vitro release of chlorpheniramine maleate, propranolol HCl, acetaminophen, theophylline and diclofenac sodium was studied in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and 0.1 M HCl, respectively. The initial drug loading varied from 1 to 70%, while the radius and height of the tablets varied from 1 to 8 mm. RESULTS: The "sequential layer" model considers water and drug diffusion with non-constant diffusivities and moving boundary conditions, non-homogeneous polymer swelling, drug dissolution, and polymer dissolution. We showed that this model was able to predict the resulting drug release kinetics accurately in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The "sequential layer" model can be used to elucidate the swelling and drug release behavior from hydrophilic matrix tablets and to simulate the effect of the device geometry on the drug release patterns. Hence, it can facilitate the development of new pharmaceutical products.

Drug Delivery Systems↗

Modeling of drug release from delivery systems based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC).

The objective of this article is to review the spectrum of mathematical models that have been developed to describe drug release from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-based pharmaceutical devices. The major advantages of these models are: (i) the elucidation of the underlying mass transport mechanisms; and (ii) the possibility to predict the effect of the device design parameters (e.g., shape, size and composition of HPMC-based matrix tablets) on the resulting drug release rate, thus facilitating the development of new pharmaceutical products. Simple empirical or semi-empirical models such as the classical Higuchi equation and the so-called power law, as well as more complex mechanistic theories that consider diffusion, swelling and dissolution processes simultaneously are presented, and their advantages and limitations are discussed. Various examples of practical applications to experimental drug release data are given. The choice of the appropriate mathematical model when developing new pharmaceutical products or elucidating drug release mechanisms strongly depends on the desired or required predictive ability and accuracy of the model. In many cases, the use of a simple empirical or semi-empirical model is fully sufficient. However, when reliable, detailed information are required, more complex, mechanistic theories must be applied. The present article is a comprehensive review of the current state of the art of mathematical modeling drug release from HPMC-based delivery systems and discusses the crucial points of the most important theories.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

Mathematical modeling of bioerodible, polymeric drug delivery systems.

The aim of this article is to give an introduction into mathematical modeling approaches of bioerodible controlled drug delivery systems and to present the most important erosion theories reported in the literature. First, important parameters such as degradation and erosion are defined and physicochemical methods for their investigation are briefly presented. Then, phenomenological empirical models as well as models based on diffusion and chemical reaction theory are discussed. Due to the significant chemical and physicochemical differences among individual bioerodible polymers used for controlled drug delivery systems, various mathematical models have been developed to describe the chemical reactions and physical mass transport processes involved in erosion-controlled drug release. Various examples of practical applications of these models to experimental drug release data are given. For those involved in the design and development of biodegradable drug delivery systems this will help to choose the appropriate mathematical model for a specific drug release problem. Important selection criteria such as the desired predictive power and precision, but also the effort required to apply a model to a particular system will be discussed. Furthermore, before models can be used for drug release predictions certain parameters such as drug dissolution or polymer degradation rate constants, have to be known. The number of parameters to be determined significantly differs between the models. The practical benefit of carefully choosing the right model is that effects of composition and device geometry on the drug release kinetics can be predicted which can reduce laborious formulation studies to a minimum.

Drug Delivery Systems↗

Calculation of the dimensions of dosage forms with release controlled by diffusion for in vivo use.

Using numerical models and data obtained from in vitro experiments, the dimensions of diffusion controlled release dosage forms to achieve desired in vivo levels are predicted. Monolithic polymer-drug devices are considered, the release of the drug being controlled by transient diffusion with constant diffusivity. The dimensions of the devices are calculated for various shapes (e.g. spheres, parallelepipeds, cylinders), so that 85% of the drug is released within 6 or 24 h, respectively. Caffeine, diltiazem HCl, and theophylline are studied in ethylcellulose (EC), plasticized with dibutyl sebacate (DBS) or acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC), respectively. The dosage forms are to be administered orally once a day. The resulting drug levels in the plasma are calculated using a numerical model that takes into account: the kinetics of drug release and the pharmacokinetic data of these dosage forms and drugs. Plasma levels resulting from immediate release dosage forms are also calculated, serving as reference.

Administration, Oral↗

Bimodal drug release achieved with multi-layer matrix tablets: transport mechanisms and device design.

The aim of this study was to develop new multi-layer matrix tablets to achieve bimodal drug release profiles (fast release/slow release/fast release). Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS, type MF) was chosen as a matrix former, because it is water-insoluble at low, and water-soluble at high pH values. Studies focused on the elucidation of the drug release mechanisms from HPMCAS-MF:drug tablets. In 0.1 N HCl the resulting release kinetics can be described using Fick's second law of diffusion, taking into account axial and radial mass transfer in cylindrical geometry. As the diffusion coefficients are found to be constant and the boundary conditions to be stationary, these systems are purely drug diffusion-controlled. In contrast, the dominating mass transport phenomena in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 are more complex. Due to polymer dissolution the resulting matrix structure is time-variant, leading to increasing drug diffusion coefficients and decreasing tablet dimensions, and thus moving boundary conditions. Drug release is affected by water imbibition, drug diffusion and polymer dissolution and is faster compared to 0.1 N HCl. With knowledge of these underlying release mechanisms, multi-layer matrix tablets were developed to achieve bimodal drug release. HPMCAS-MF:drug mixtures were used as tablet cores. As expected, changing the release medium from 0.1 N HCl to phosphate buffer pH 7. 4 after 2 h, lead to a significant increase in drug release. The abruptness of this rate change could be enhanced by adding two drug-free HPMCAS-MF barrier layers (one on each side) to the system. The addition of a fourth, drug-containing and fast disintegrating initial dose layer yielded the desired bimodal drug release patterns. The process and formulation parameters affecting the resulting release rates were investigated using theophylline and acetaminophen as model drugs.

Acetaminophen↗

pH-independent release of a weakly basic drug from water-insoluble and -soluble matrix tablets.

Weakly basic drugs or salts thereof demonstrate pH-dependent solubility. The resulting release from conventional matrix tablets decreases with increasing pH-milieu of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to overcome this problem and to achieve pH-independent drug release. Two different polymers were used as matrix formers, the water-insoluble and almost unswellable ethylcellulose (EC), and the water-soluble and highly swellable hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Two different approaches to solve the problem of pH-dependent release of weakly basic drugs are demonstrated in this paper. The first one is based on the addition of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS, an enteric polymer), the second one on the addition of organic acids such as fumaric, succinic or adipic acid to the drug-polymer system. The first approach failed to achieve pH-independent drug release, whereas the addition of organic acids to both matrix formers was found to maintain low pH values within the tablets during drug release in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8 or 7.4). Thus, the micro-environmental conditions for the dissolution and diffusion of the weakly basic drug were almost kept constant. The release of verapamil hydrochloride from tablets composed of ethylcellulose or HPMC and organic acids was found to be pH-independent.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗

Calculation of the required size and shape of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose matrices to achieve desired drug release profiles.

The aim of this study was to develop methods for the design of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) tablets with specified drug profiles. This was achieved by the use of a mathematical model developed to predict the release kinetics of water-soluble drugs from HPMC matrices. The required model parameters were determined experimentally for propranolol HCl and chlorpheniramine maleate in 0. 1 N HCl and phosphate buffer pH 7.4, respectively. Then, the effects of the dimensions and aspect ratio (radius/height) of the tablets on the drug release rate were evaluated. Independent experiments were conducted to verify the theoretical predictions. Acceptable agreement between theory and experiment was found, irrespective of the type of release medium and drug. However, statistical analysis revealed a structure in the resulting residuals. Drug release rates are overestimated at the beginning and underestimated at the end of the process. Possible explanations and modifications of the model are thoroughly discussed. Both, theoretical and experimental data showed that a broad spectrum of drug release patterns can be achieved by varying the size and shape of the tablet. The effect of the initial matrix radius on release was found to be more pronounced than the effect of the initial thickness. The practical benefit of the proposed method is to predict the required size and shape of new controlled drug delivery systems to achieve desired release profiles, thus significantly facilitating the development of new pharmaceutical products.

Algorithms↗

Hydrophilic matrices for controlled drug delivery: an improved mathematical model to predict the resulting drug release kinetics (the "sequential layer" model).

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were (i) to elucidate the transport mechanisms involved in drug release from hydrophilic matrices; and (ii) to develop an improved mathematical model allowing quantitative predictions of the resulting release kinetics. METHODS: Our previously presented model has been substantially modified, by adding: (i) inhomogeneous swelling; (ii) poorly water-soluble drugs; and (iii) high initial drug loadings. The validity of the improved model has been tested experimentally using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-matrices, containing either a poorly or a freely water-soluble drug (theophylline or chlorpheniramine maleate) at various initial loadings in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and 0.1 N HCl, respectively. RESULTS: By overcoming the assumption of homogeneous swelling we show that the agreement between theory and experiment could be significantly improved. Among others, the model could describe quantitatively even the very complex effect on the resulting relative release rates (first slowing down, then accelerating drug release) observed when increasing the initial loading of poorly water-soluble drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The practical benefit of this work is an improved design model that can be used to predict accurately the required composition and dimensions of drug-loaded hydrophilic matrices in order to achieve desired release profiles, thus facilitating the development of new pharmaceutical products.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

Diffusion-controlled drug delivery systems: calculation of the required composition to achieve desired release profiles.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the composition of diffusion-controlled release devices (type and amount of plasticizer, type of polymer) on the drug diffusivity and the resulting release kinetics in a quantitative way. Diltiazem hydrochloride and theophylline were investigated in ethyl cellulose (EC) and Eudragit((R)) RS 100, plasticized with various amounts of acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC), acetyltriethyl citrate (ATEC), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dibutyl sebacate (DBS), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and tributyl citrate (TBC). Thin drug-containing films (monolithic solutions) were used to determine the diffusion coefficients experimentally. The effect of the type and amount of plasticizer on the drug diffusivity was found to be significant, whereas the chain length of the polymer only played a minor rule in the investigated systems. Interestingly, a quantitative relationship between the diffusion coefficient of the drug and the plasticizer level could be established. Based on these results, the release kinetics of diffusion-controlled drug delivery systems could be predicted. In this study, the release patterns from microparticles were calculated and the significant effect of the composition of the device on the resulting release rate was simulated. The latter could be effectively modified by varying the type and amount of plasticizer. Independent experiments verified the theoretical predictions. The practical benefit of the presented method is to calculate the required composition of diffusion-controlled drug delivery systems (monolithic solutions) to achieve desired release profiles.

Cellulose↗

A new model describing the swelling and drug release kinetics from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose tablets.

A novel mathematical model for the water transport into and drug release from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) tablets is presented. Fick's second law of diffusion is used to describe the mass transfer processes in the three-component system drug/polymer/water. Numerical solutions of the respective set of partial differential equations are provided, considering axial and radial diffusion within cylindrical tablets. It is shown that the diffusion coefficients strongly depend on the water concentration (parameters quantifying this dependence have been determined). Swelling of the device is considered using moving boundary conditions, whereas dissolution processes are neglected. Experiments proved the applicability of the theory. The practical benefit of the new model is to calculate the required shape and dimensions of HPMC tablets to achieve a desired release profile.

Algorithms↗

HPMC-matrices for controlled drug delivery: a new model combining diffusion, swelling, and dissolution mechanisms and predicting the release kinetics.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the drug release mechanisms from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-matrices, and to develop a new model for quantitative predictions of controlled drug delivery. METHODS: The dissolved mass of pure HPMC-matrices and the drug release rate from propranolol HCl-loaded HPMC-matrices were determined experimentally. Based on Fick's second law of diffusion for cylinders, the transport of water and drug were modeled considering (i) both radial and axial diffusion, (ii) concentration-dependent drug diffusivities, (iii) matrix swelling and (iv) HPMC dissolution. RESULTS: Good agreement between theory and experiment (dissolved mass and drug release studies) was obtained, proving the validity of the presented model. The water and drug diffusivities are strongly dependent on the matrix swelling ratio. Diffusion, swelling and dissolution are the governing mechanisms involved in the overall drug release process. CONCLUSIONS: The practical benefit of the presented model is to identify the required shape and dimensions of drug-loaded HPMC-matrices in order to achieve desired release profiles, thus facilitating the development of new controlled drug delivery products. This will be demonstrated in a future study.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

Calculation of the dimensions of drug-polymer devices based on diffusion parameters.

The release kinetics of a polymeric-controlled release device are determined by its geometry and dimensions. A method to calculate the required size and shape of diffusion-controlled dosage forms to achieve a particular release profile is presented. The diffusion parameters are determined for various drugs (theophylline, diltiazem hydrochloride and caffeine) with thin ethyl cellulose (EC) films, containing different plasticizers [dibutyl sebacate (DBS) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC)]. Computer simulations are then used to predict the drug release kinetics from various dosage forms (e.g. microparticles and cylinders). The practical benefit of these simulations is to optimize the geometry and dimensions of a controlled release device without the need of experimental studies. To verify the theoretical predictions, the release kinetics of theophylline from EC/ATBC microparticles of different size have also been determined experimentally. Good agreement is found between theory and experiment, proving the validity of the presented method.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

Multiple unit gastroretentive drug delivery systems: a new preparation method for low density microparticles.

The aim of this study was to develop a new preparation method for low density foam-based, floating microparticles and to demonstrate the systems' performance in vitro. Major advantages of the novel preparation technique include: (i) short processing times, (ii) no exposure of the ingredients to high temperatures, (iii) the possibility to avoid toxic organic solvents, and (iv) high encapsulation efficiencies close to 100%. Floating microparticles consisting of polypropylene foam powder, model drug [chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM), diltiazem HCl, theophylline or verapamil HCl] and polymer [Eudragit RS or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)] were prepared by soaking the microporous foam carrier with an organic solution of drug and polymer and subsequent drying. The effects of various formulation and processing parameters on the resulting in vitro floating behaviour, internal and external particle morphology, drug loading, in vitro drug release and physical state of the incorporated drug were studied. Good in vitro floating behaviour was observed in most cases and a broad variety of drug release patterns could be achieved by varying the drug loading and type of polymer. Interestingly, PMMA-based microparticles showed incomplete drug release with verapamil HCl. This restriction could be overcome by forming the free base of the drug prior to microparticle preparation. In contrast to the salt, the free base acted as a plasticizer for PMMA, resulting in sufficiently high diffusion coefficients and, consequently, complete drug release. The low density microparticles were compressed into rapidly disintegrating tablets in order to provide an administrable oral dosage form.

Administration, Oral↗