Biomedical subjects

R Fassihi

Publications and source records attributed to R Fassihi.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1997

Application of binary polymer system in drug release rate modulation. 2. Influence of formulation variables and hydrodynamic conditions on release kinetics.

The significance of factors such as drug solubility, polymer molecular weight, drug loading dose, compression force, and hydrodynamic conditions on drug release from a swellable hydrophilic delivery system was investigated. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and pectin were major polymeric constituents of the delivery system. Nifedipine, prednisolone, theophylline anhydrous, and diltiazem hydrochloride with solubilities of < 0.001%, <0.1%, <1%, and >50%, respectively, were used as drug models. Results show that changes in pectin:HPMC ratios, HPMC molecular weight, and hydrodynamic conditions exert notable influences on release rate and release duration from the designed system. In the case of prednisolone, drug loading up to 30% (w/w) of the matrix composition (pectin:HPMC K4M; 3:6) had no effect on zero-order release kinetics, and the delivery system was insensitive to changes in compression force (2000 to 5000 lb). For nifedipine, theophylline, and diltiazem, determination of mean dissolution time (MDT) for 50 and 80% drug release provided accurate information on release behavior. The dominating effect of matrix composition over variations in drug solubilities in controlling drug release from the delivery system was evident from similarities in dissolution profiles. It is further shown that hydrodynamic stress and intensity of fluid flow causes greater attrition at the swollen periphery and is responsible for dramatic increases in release rates. This latter observation confirms that the mechanism of drug release from this swellable system is erosion dependent. Influence of polymer molecular weight and drug solubility on release kinetics and the potential of the delivery system is discussed.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

PubMed1997

Mechanistic evaluation of binary effects of magnesium stearate and talc as dissolution retardants at 85% drug loading in an experimental extended-release formulation.

The feasibility of producing extended-release matrix tablets with high drug loadings (80-90% w/w) containing a binary combination of magnesium stearate (MS) and talc (T) at different levels as major dissolution retardants was investigated. Matrix tablets were prepared from a granulation containing theophylline, starch, hydroxypropylcellulose, and varying amounts of MS and T. Using a 32 factorial design, the effect of MS and T levels on the physical properties and drug release characteristics of the tablets was evaluated. Response surface analysis showed that the binary combination of MS and T at levels >3% adversely affected both tensile strength and friability. A parabolic relationship was observed for the increase in time required for the release of 50% of the theophylline (t50%) with increased MS levels. Moreover, as the proportion of MS and T was increased, the release profiles became more linear. A combination of 3% MS and T provided both near zero-order release kinetics as well as a coherent matrix structure. Based on model fitting, a release mechanism combining diffusion and matrix erosion/dissolution is proposed. It may be concluded that in the development of controlled-release systems, the binary combination of MS and T at levels exceeding those conventionally used for lubrication can be employed as an inexpensive, low bulk dissolution retardant for formulations with high drug loading.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed1997

A new ternary polymeric matrix system for controlled drug delivery of highly soluble drugs: I. Diltiazem hydrochloride.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a new ternary polymeric matrix system that is easy to manufacture and that delivers a highly soluble drug over long periods of time. METHODS: Pectin, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and diltiazem HCl granulated with gelatin at optimized ratios were blended at different loading doses and directly compressed. Swelling behavior, dissolution profiles and the effect of hydrodynamic stress on release kinetics were evaluated. RESULTS: Diltiazem release kinetics from the ternary polymeric system was dependent on the different swelling behavior of the polymers and varied with the drug loading dose and hydrodynamic conditions. Drug release followed either non-Fickian or Case II transport kinetics. The relative influence of diffusion and relaxational/dissolution effects on release profiles for different drug loadings was calculated by a nonlinear regression approach. Photographs taken during swelling show that the anisotropic nature of the gel structure, drug loading dose, swelling capacity of polymers used, and the design of delivery system all play important roles in controlling the drug release and dissolution/erosion processes. CONCLUSIONS: Zero-order delivery of diltiazem HCl from a simple tablet matrix was achieved. The ternary polymeric system developed in this study is suitable for controlled release of highly soluble drugs. It offers a number of advantages over existing systems, including ease of manufacturing and of release modulation, as well as reproducibility of release profiles under well defined hydrodynamic conditions. Our delivery system has the potential to fully release its drug content in a controlled manner over a long time period and to dissolve completely.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗

PubMed1996

Zero-order release kinetics from a self-correcting floatable asymmetric configuration drug delivery system.

A new approach based on the three-layer matrix technology to control drug release for oral administration is presented. Polyethylene oxide polymers of various molecular weight together with theophylline as drug model and other excipients have been directly compressed into a three-layer asymmetric floatable system. The core layer contains the active drug while external layers with different thickness, composition, and erosion rates are designed to delay the hydration of the middle layer, restrict the early drug diffusion only through cylindrical side surfaces of the tablet, and provide controlled drug release. Results show that during a 16 h dissolution study drug is completely released following the zero-order kinetics with no burst effect. The release rate remains around 0.1 mg min-1 throughout the dissolution study. The release kinetics is independent of changes in pH and compression force but dependent on layer thickness and formulation components. It appears that the operating release mechanism is based on the existence of a balance between the velocities of advancing glassy/rubbery front and erosion at the swollen polymer/dissolution front.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1996

Characterization of compressibility and compactibility of poly(ethylene oxide) polymers for modified release application by compaction simulator.

Poly(ethylene oxide) polymers (PEO) appear to have great potential for controlled release applications. These polymers are hydrophilic with good water solubility, low toxicity, and high swelling capacity. As part of formulation optimization for a large-scale solid dosage form production, physicomechanical characterization of PEO was undertaken using a compaction simulator. Heckel plots for all PEOs were constructed, and yield pressures (Py) at different punch velocities were calculated from the linear portion of the plots. Low Py values, increase of Py with increasing punch speed, upward curvature of the plot, and strain rate sensitivity values indicate that the densification process and consolidation mechanism for PEOs of various molecular weights (0.2 x 10(6) to 7 x 10(6)) are identical and follow plastic deformation. PEOs have a high degree of crystallinity (57-85%) and show significant axial recovery (15-25%) upon decompression and ejection. The low Py values (58-78 MPa) and low mean compaction pressures demonstrate that volume reduction (compressibility) under pressure is excellent. However, due to viscoelastic behavior and large axial expansion, tablets of relatively low tensile strength are produced. These observations suggest the need to blend PEO with highly compactible excipients in order to produce tables on a high-speed production press.

Molecular Weight↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Probing the dynamics of matrix hydration in the presence of electrolytes.

The aim of our work was to probe the mechanisms associated with induced matrix stiffening via textural analysis as a consequence of in situ electrolyte interactions within hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) matrices in relation to their role in controlling the release of highly soluble drugs such as diltiazem hydrochloride (>50% water soluble at 25 degrees C). The dynamics of HPMC and PEO matrix swelling during hydration in the presence of appropriate electrolytes intended to induce constant drug release rates from simple monolithic systems are influenced by continuously shifting peripheral matrix stiffening toward the matrix core in a manner dependent on electrolyte content and hydration time. Matrix erosion for HPMC and PEO controls (i.e., without electrolyte) follow linear dissolution kinetics (r2 > 0.97), while formulations with electrolyte characteristically undergo a square root of time decline in weight. The swelling potential of the electrolyte-containing matrices, influenced by the boundary infiltration process, reflected considerable suppression during the first 2 hr of exposure to medium, while subsequent events differed in both polymers. In view of these differences, simultaneous measurements in textural transitions and electrolyte conductivity showed that PEO has a higher affinity for water molecules than does HPMC.

Diltiazem↗