Development and validation of dissolution test for lopinavir, a poorly water-soluble drug, in soft gel capsules, based on in vivo data

The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a dissolution test for lopinavir soft gel capsules (Kaletra), using a simulated absorption profile based on in vivo data. Different conditions such as surfactant concentration, apparatus and rotation speed were evaluated. In vivo release profiles were obtained from the literature. The fraction (and percentage) of dose absorbed (FA) was calculated by using Wagner-Nelson method. The best in vitro dissolution profile was obtained using Apparatus 2 (paddle) at 25 rpm, 1000 ml of medium with 2.3% of sodium lauryl sulfate and pH 6.0. Under these conditions a level-A in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) was obtained (r = 0.997). The in vitro dissolution samples were analyzed using a HPLC method and the validation was performed according to USP protocol. The method showed accuracy, precision, linearity and specificity within the acceptable range. Both the HPLC method and the in vitro dissolution method were validated and could be used to evaluate the release profile of lopinavir soft gel capsules.     

Saquinavir and ritonavir pharmacokinetics following combined ritonavir and saquinavir (soft gelatin capsules) administration

AIMS: To investigate the influence of combined ritonavir (RTV) and saquinavir (soft-gelatin capsule formulation; SQV) on systemic exposure to SQV with a view to optimizing the dosing regimen of combined RTV and SQV antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: In this open labelled, randomized, parallel group study, SQV and RTV were administered twice daily for 14 days to groups of eight healthy subjects. The two antiretrovirals were either administered alone (800 mg SQV, regimen A, and 400 mg RTV, B) or in combination at various dose levels (RTV : SQV: 400 : 400 mg, C; 300 : 600 mg, D; 200 : 800 mg, E; 300 : 800 mg, F; 400 : 800 mg, G; and 400 : 600 mg, H). Pharmacokinetic parameters of saquinavir and ritonavir were determined and adverse events, vital signs, and clinical laboratory variables recorded. RESULTS: RTV substantially increased the plasma concentration of saquinavir for all dose combinations, compared with SQV alone. Based on the primary statistical analysis there was an overall 17-, 22-, and 23-fold increase in saquinavir AUC(0,24 h) on day 14 with regimens E, F, and G, respectively (with confidence intervals of 10-30, 13-37, and 13-39). The lowest combination dose of RTV (200 : 800 mg; E) significantly increased the saquinavir AUC(0,24 h) from below 5 to 57 microg ml(-1) h, which was higher than the exposure obtained with the 400 : 400 mg twice daily regimen (i.e. 36 microg ml(-1) h). RTV also reduced intersubject variability in AUC(0,24 h) for saquinavir from 105% to 32-68%, and C(max)(0,24 h) from 124% to 30-49%. In contrast, SQV showed no clinically significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of ritonavir. The combination regimens were well tolerated, with the least number of adverse events recorded for the 200 : 800 mg (RTV : SQV) combination regimen. CONCLUSIONS: RTV significantly increases saquinavir exposure as a consequence of inhibiting SQV metabolism and possibly P-glycoprotein efflux. Pharmacokinetic and safety profiles obtained in the current study indicate that the use of a combination with a lower dose of RTV and a higher dose of SQV than the 400 : 400 mg combination frequently used in clinical practice should be further explored.     

Development and validation of discriminating method of dissolution for fosamprenavir tablets based on in vivo data

The aim of this work is to develop and validate a dissolution test for fosamprenavir tablets (Telzir^®) based on in vivo data. The appropriate conditions were determined after testing sink conditions in dissolution medium, rotation speed and stability of the drug. In vivo release profiles were obtained from the literature. The fraction (and percentage) of dose absorbed (FA) was calculated by deconvolution, using the Wagner–Nelson method. For this formulation, the best dissolution conditions were achieved using a USP apparatus 1 900 ml of medium containing HCl 0.01 M at a rotation speed of 75 rpm. Under these conditions a significant linear relationship between fraction of drug absorbed versus dissolved was obtained (R² = 0.984) and a level-A IVIVC was established. The in vitro dissolution samples were analyzed using a HPLC method and the validation was performed according to USP protocol. The method showed accuracy, precision, linearity and specificity within the acceptable range. The discriminatory power of the dissolution method was challenged. The kinetics of dissolution was determined using model-dependent methods. The dissolution profiles were best described by the Hixson–Crowell model. The dissolution test was validated and could be applied to evaluate the dissolution profile of fosamprenavir tablets.     

Multidimensional column-switching liquid chromatographic method for dissolution testing of enprostil soft elastic gelatin capsules

Enprostil (methyl 7-[(1 R,2R,3R)-3-hydroxy-2-[(E)-(3R)-3-hydroxy-4- phenoxy-1-butenyl]-5-oxocyclopentyl]-4,5-heptadienoate), an E-type prostaglandin exhibiting anti-ulcer activity, is formulated as a propylene carbonate solution filled into soft elastic gelatin (SEG) capsules. Enprostil SEG capsules were maintained for timed intervals at 50 degrees C, 30 degrees C, and room temperature, and the quantity of drug released upon complete capsule dissolution was determined as a function of storage condition. The dissolution test adhered to USP XXI guidelines (paddle method) and used a multidimensional HPLC technique to provide a sensitive and selective enprostil assay. Parallel HPLC assays determined the enprostil concentration in the propylene carbonate fill that was physically expressed from initially manufactured and from aged capsules. This corrected for any enprostil loss via chemical degradation on storage. The study included six different aged samples (six replicates each), and for all six samples, the enprostil recovered from dissolved capsules averaged 104 +/- 1.4% of the enprostil physically expressed from the capsules. Similarly, the enprostil recovered from dissolved, aged capsules averaged 103 +/- 5% of the enprostil physically expressed from capsules at the initial time point. These findings exclude the possibility that interactions with the SEG capsule wall reduce drug availability during storage under normal conditions. The multidimensional HPLC technique should generally extend to analysis of other noncationic drugs formulated into soft gelatin capsules.     

布洛芬软胶囊的溶出度测定

目的建立布洛芬软胶囊溶出度的测定方法,方法以磷酸盐缓冲液（pH 7.2）900 ml为溶出介质,采用转篮法（120 r.min^-1）45 min取样,运用HPLC法对其溶出度进行测定,并考察了溶出曲线。结果样品溶出均一性良好,溶出度均〉90%。布洛芬软胶囊与市售片剂相比,其溶出速率有明显提高。结论本法能考察和控制布洛芬软胶囊的质量。     

Bioavailability of temazepam in soft gelatin capsules.

1 Healthy volunteers received single doses of temazepam 30 mg in conventional gelatin capsules, suppositories or in solution. They experienced marked sedation and sleepiness. The onset of sleepiness was prompt after the administration of the solution; this latter showed the fastest absorption and gave the highest peak plasma levels. This observation led to the development of the soft gelatin capsule. 2 To assess bioavailability of the formulation, plasma levels of temazepam were determined in healthy volunteers after single oral administration of soft and hard capsules, and after seven consecutive night-time doses of the soft capsule. Absorption from the soft gelatin capsule was faster and produced earlier and higher peak plasma levels. There were no differences in relative availability. 3 The apparent half-life of temazepam after night-time administration was shorter than after morning administration, but no change was observed between the first and seventh night-time doses.     

Physical-mechanical properties of film-coated soft gelatin capsules

Soft gelatin capsules containing ibuprofen dissolved in either PEG 400 or Miglyol® 812 were coated with an aqueous dispersion of Eudragit® L 30 D-55 using a Mini Hi-Coater. The physical-mechanical properties of the coated capsules, including tensile strength, Young's modulus and tensile toughness, were determined using a Chatillon DFGS50 force gauge attached to a Chatillon TCD-200 motorized test stand. The diametral compression tests were conducted at a rate of 12.7 mm/minute. Force-deflection curves were obtained and mathematically manipulated to yield stress-strain diagrams. The influence of two plasticizing agents, triethyl citrate (TEC) and tributyl citrate (TBC), on the physical-mechanical properties was determined. The hydrophilic plasticizer TEC was found to be the best plasticizer for the acrylic films, regardless of the fill liquid. The physical-mechanical properties of the coated and uncoated soft gelatin capsules were a function of the fill liquid. Temperature and humidity were found to influence the physical-mechanical properties of the coated capsules. The adhesion between the gelatin capsule and the acrylic polymer was found to be dependent on both the fill liquid and plasticizer in the coating formulation. Coating dispersions plasticized with TEC exhibited good adhesion with both the PEG 400 and the Miglyol® 812, whereas the TBC plasticized film coating showed good adhesion with the Miglyol® 812 fill liquid. The acrylic film coatings for the PEG-containing capsules and plasticized with TBC exhibited an increased adhesion of the polymer to substrate over time when stored at both high temperature and high humidity.     

Comparative in vivo bioequivalence and in vitro dissolution of two cyclosporin A soft gelatin capsule formulations

OBJECTIVE: A study was conducted to establish the bioequivalence between a newly developed cyclosporin A (CsA) oral formulation, Deximune soft-gelatin capsules (Dexcel Ltd.) and Sandimmune Neoral (Novartis Inc.). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical investigation was designed as a randomized, open-labeled, two-period, two-treatment crossover study, in 24 healthy fasted male volunteers. The subjects were administered a single 200 mg CsA dose of either formulation. Serial venous blood samples were obtained over 24 hours after each administration to measure CsA in whole blood by a specific TDx-immunoassay. In addition, the comparative drug release rate was assessed using a dissolution apparatus test according to the USP-24 method. RESULTS: For both treatments, a mean maximum blood concentration (Cmax) of approximately 1,200 ng/ml was obtained at about 1.6 hours (tmax) after administration and the geometric mean of the area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC) both for test and reference was approximately 4,900 ng x h/ml. Bioequivalence was conclusively demonstrated for both rate (Cmax and tmax) and extent (AUC) of CsA absorption, between the two treatments. Moreover, the CsA blood concentration measurement at 2 hours after administration (C2), demonstrated equivalent results between the two products. The point estimates and their 90% confidence intervals were within the respective equivalence ranges for the pharmacokinetic parameters and were included in the range for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index. The comparative dissolution test for both formulations showed an in vitro release rate of more than 90% within 15 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, the two oral CsA formulations compared are bioequivalent and can be interchanged without need for dosage adjustment.     

Characterization of soft gelatin capsules by thermal analysis

Thermal analysis of soft gelatin capsule was used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the effect of temperature and humidity stress conditions as well as formulation water, propylene glycol and ethanol on the softening of the gelatin shells. Results obtained using modulated and conventional DSC given as ΔT_m (change in gel–sol transition temperature) were compared with the results obtained using manual hardness tester given as % hardness loss. No difference between the two methods was observed in their ability to determine the extent of softening due to formulation water, propylene glycol and ethanol content. Thermal analysis and shifts in the reversible heat flow determined using MDSC provided additional insight into the structural changes and extent of deformation within the gelatin network upon exposure to formulation ingredients, temperature and humidity. Modulated thermal analysis is, therefore, a useful tool for screening the variables influencing the hardness of gelatin capsules.     

Reactivity of enprostil stereoisomers in soft elastic gelatin capsules

Enprostil (methyl 7-[(1R*,2R*,3R*)-3-hydroxy-2-[(E)-(3R*)-3-hydroxy-4-phenoxy-1-butenyl]- 5-oxocyclopentyl]-4,5-heptadienoate), a gastric acid secretion inhibitor and potent anti-ulcer drug, is formulated as a propylene carbonate solution which is filled into soft elastic gelatin capsules. The drug molecule features two unresolved asymmetric carbon atoms, and synthesis yields an equimolar mixture of four different optical isomers (two diastereomeric pairs of enantiomers). The objective of this study was to establish the degree to which enprostil does or does not degrade stereoselectively in the soft elastic gelatin capsule formulation. Accordingly, we developed an HPLC method capable of resolving enprostil diastereoisomers and applied the method to determining reaction rates of enprostil in soft elastic gelatin capsules maintained at 40 degrees C. The study included three soft elastic gelatin capsule lots: the first two contained an equimolar mixture of all four enprostil enantiomers; and the third contained an equimolar mixture of two individual diastereoisomers of known optical purity. Comparing enprostil degradation rates in the three capsule lots showed that reactivity ratios in all cases were (within the limits of experimental uncertainty) equal to unity. This observation conclusively excludes the possibility of significant enantioselectivity for enprostil degradation in the soft elastic gelatin capsule formulation. We also report kinetic equations for the general case of relating stereospecific reactivity ratios to drug product shelf life when drug concentrations are monitored with nonstereoselective analytical techniques.     

Development and validation of a dissolution test for rabeprazole sodium in coated tablets

The aim of this work is to develop and validate a dissolution test for rabeprazole sodium coated tablets using a reverse-phase liquid chromatographic method. After test sink conditions, dissolution medium and stability of the drug, the best conditions were: paddle at 75 rotations per minute (rpm) stirring speed, HCl 0.1 M and borate buffer pH 9.0 as dissolution medium for acidic and basic steps, respectively, volume of 900 ml for both. The quantitation method was also adapted and validated. Less than 10% of the label amount was released in the acid step, while more than 95% was achieved over 30 min in the basic one. The dissolution profile for tablets was considered satisfactory. The dissolution test developed was adequate for its purpose and could be applied for quality control of rabeprazole tablets, since there is no official monograph.     

选用优质明胶改善软胶囊的崩解

目的：解决软胶囊崩解迟缓、崩解不合格的问题。方法：从更换明胶、添加加速溶出辅料、抗氧剂三方面改进囊皮，应用胶片溶解速率法筛选囊皮处方，并进行软胶囊留样考察。结果：加入L-半胱氨酸、柠檬酸，选用优质明胶均有明显的增溶效果，选用优质明胶可解决软胶囊崩解迟缓、崩解不合格的问题。结论：不同厂家生产的明胶质量存在较大差异，选用优质明胶是改善软胶囊崩解迟缓、崩解不合格问题的关键所在。     

Human pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of temazepam administered in soft gelatin capsules

Summary Plasma levels of temazepam were determined in healthy subjects after single oral administration of soft and hard gelatin capsules, and after 7 consecutive night-time doses in soft capsules. Absorption from soft gelatin capsules was significantly faster and produced earlier and higher peak plasma levels. The two pharmaceutical forms did not show any significant difference in relative availability. The apparent half-life of temazepam after night-time administration was significantly shorter than after morning administration, but no change in half-life was observed between the first and seventh night-time doses.     

Bioavailability of flufenamic acid in hard and soft gelatin capsules.

The biological availability of flufenamic acid after oral administration of the drug in both hard and soft gelatin capsules was studied in dogs and humans. The soft gelatin capsules produced consistently higher plasma concentration-time curves.     

The preparation of soft gelatin capsules for a radioactive tracer study

Clinical doses are developed for the oral coadministration of radiolabeled and nonlabeled forms of a poorly soluble investigational compound: OPC-41061. The release rates of the labeled and nonlabeled forms are equated and matched to the release rate of the polymer spray-dried form of the drug in the proposed market product. The study involves the physicochemical characterization of the powders using thermal analysis and dissolution testing, development and extemporaneous manufacture of liquid-filled soft gelatin capsules, and dissolution and stability testing of the final dosage form. Thermal analysis indicated that the labeled powder was amorphous and that the nonlabeled powder, which had been jet-milled, was crystalline. Dissolution testing of the jet-milled and spray-dried powders indicated that the former was released at a significantly slower rate. A liquid formulation containing 25% dimethyl acetamide and 75% polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) solubilized the desired dose of 60 mg and exhibited a drug profile that was similar to the spray-dried formulation. The final formulation was a soft gelatin capsule containing 60 mg of drug, including 100 microCi radioactivity, dissolved in 0.8 ml of a 25% dimethyl acetamide/75% PEG 400 solution. The formulation was chemically and physically stable for a period greater than the duration of the study.