Effect of chloride ion on dissolution of different salt forms of haloperidol, a model basic drug

The effect of chloride ion (Cl-) on dissolution rates of hydrochloride, mesylate (methanesulfonate) and phosphate salt forms of a model drug, haloperidol, was investigated. The dissolution rates of the salts in 0.01 M HCl from rotating disks followed the order of mesylate>phosphate>hydrochloride. With additional chloride ion, a decrease in dissolution rate of the hydrochloride salt was observed due to the common ion effect. Dissolution rates of mesylate and phosphate salts also decreased due to their conversion to the HCl salt form on the surfaces of dissolving disks, however, the dissolution rates of mesylate and phosphate salts under identical chloride ion concentrations were still higher than that of the HCl salt. In powder dissolution studies, it was observed that kinetics of nonhydrochloride-to-hydrochloride salt conversion play a major role in dissolution; the mesylate dissolved completely (<5 min) before its dissolution rate could be impeded by its conversion to the hydrochloride salt form. Therefore, despite the potential for conversion to a hydrochloride salt form, certain nonhydrochloride salt forms may still be preferred for dosage form development due to kinetic advantages during dissolution, such as higher apparent dissolution rate of a nonhydrochloride salt before it could completely convert to the hydrochloride form.     

Investigation of Solubility and Dissolution of a Free Base and Two Different Salt Forms as a Function of pH

No HeadingPurpose. To evaluate the effect of pH on solubility and dissolution rates of a model weak base, haloperidol, and two different salt forms, hydrochloride and mesylate.Methods. pH-solubility profiles were determined by using haloperidol base, haloperidol hydrochloride, and haloperidol mesylate as starting materials; concentrated or diluted HCl or NaOH solutions were added to aqueous suspensions of solids to adjust pH to desired values. Intrinsic dissolution rates were determined using intrinsic dissolution apparatus under various pH-stat conditions. Further, approximation of diffusion layer pH was estimated from that of 10% w/w slurries of drug substances in dissolution media, which were used to correlate with intrinsic dissolution rates of haloperidol and its salt forms under different pHs.Results. pH-solubility profiles of haloperidol base and its HCl salt were similar, while when the mesylate salt was used as starting material, it exhibited a higher solubility between pH 2 and 5. The higher solubility of the mesylate salt at pH 2–5 is attributed to its higher solubility product (K_sp) than that of the hydrochloride salt. The pH-solubility profiles indicated a pH_max (pH of maximum solubility) of 5, indicating that the free base would exist as the solid phase above this pH and a salt would be formed below this pH. Below pH 1.5, all solubilities were comparable due to a conversion of haloperidol base or the mesylate salt to the HCl salt form when HCl was used as the acidifying agent. These were confirmed by monitoring the solid phase by differential scanning calorimeter. When their dissolution rates are tested, dissolution rates of the mesylate salt were much higher than those of the free base or the HCl salt, except at very low pH (<2). Dissolution rates of free base and HCl salt also differed from each other, where that of HCl salt exhibits higher dissolution rates at higher pHs. A direct correlation of dissolution rate with solubility at diffusion layer pH at the surface of dissolving solid was established for haloperidol, its hydrochloride, and mesylate salts.Conclusions. Using pH-solubility and pH-dissolution rate interrelationships, it has been established that diffusion layer pH could be used to explain the observed rank order in dissolution rates for different salt forms. A non-hydrochloride salt, such as a mesylate salt, may provide advantages over a hydrochloride salt due to its high solubility and lack of common ion effect unless at very low pH.     

Solution-mediated phase transformation: significance during dissolution and implications for bioavailability

Solubility improvement of poorly soluble drug compounds is a key approach to ensuring the successful development of many new drugs. Methods used to improve the solubility of drug compounds include forming a salt, cocrystal, or amorphous solid. These methods of improving solubility can often lead to a phenomenon called solution-mediated phase transformation, a phase change that is facilitated through exposure to solution. Solution-mediated phase transformation occurs in three steps: dissolution to create a supersaturated solution followed by nucleation of less soluble phase and the growth of that phase. When the growth of the less soluble phase occurs on the surface of the metastable solid, this phenomenon can cause a marked decrease in dissolution rate during in vitro dissolution evaluation, and ultimately in vivo. Therefore, transformation to a less soluble solid during dissolution is an important aspect to consider when evaluating approaches to increase the solubility of a poorly soluble drug. Identification of solution-mediated phase transformation during dissolution is reviewed for powder dissolution, rotating disk method, and channel flow-through apparatus. Types of solution-mediated phase transformation are described in this report, including those involving salts, polymorphs, amorphous solids, and cocrystals. Many experimental examples are provided. Evidence of potential solution-mediated phase transformation in vivo is discussed to better understand the relationship between in vitro dissolution evaluation and in vivo performance.     

Influence of the Solid Form of Siramesine Hydrochloride on its Behavior in Aqueous Environments

Purpose  To study the influence of solid form on the behavior of the salt siramesine hydrochloride in aqueous environments. Methods  The solubilities and dissolution rates of siramesine hydrochloride anhydrate and monohydrate were determined at pH 3.4 and 6.4, and precipitates were examined by X-ray powder diffraction. The mechanism of anhydrate–hydrate conversion was investigated by optical microscopy, and wet massing of the anhydrate was carried out using water and 60% (v/v) ethanol separately as granulation liquids. The wet masses were analyzed using Raman microscopy. Results  At pH 3.4 the anhydrate and monohydrate salts exhibited similar dissolution profiles. At pH 6.4 both the anhydrate and monohydrate salts formed supersaturated solutions of high apparent solubility. From the anhydrate solution, precipitation of the free base occurred, while the solution of the monohydrate salt remained in the supersaturated state. This resulted in a superior dissolution profile of the monohydrate salt. Microscopy and wet massing experiments showed that the anhydrate–hydrate conversion of siramesine hydrochloride was solution-mediated and dissolution-controlled. Conclusion  During development of a formulation based on the anhydrate salt, the risk of processing-induced transformation to the monohydrate form as well as precipitation of the free base should be considered.     

Role of Salt and Excipient Properties on Disproportionation in the Solid-State

Purpose  Approximately 50% of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are manufactured and formulated as salts, due to their enhanced dissolution rates or improved solid state properties. It is essential to maintain the appropriate solid state form of the drug during processing and over the lifetime of the product. The aim of this study was to investigate the contributing factors in the process of disproportionation, whereby the salt converts back to the free form of the drug. Methods  Infrared and Raman spectroscopy were used to detect and quantify the formation of free base in physical mixtures with excipients. The pH-solubility relationships were determined based on measured salt solubilities and properties of the free form. Results  The mesylate salts of two model pharmaceutical compounds were found to disproportionate to the free base form when physically mixed with certain common basic excipients and exposed to moderate relative humidities. In contrast, the napsylate salts were much more resistant to disproportionation. The napsylate salts had solubilities more than 3 orders of magnitude lower than the respective mesylate salts, and showed little to no detectable formation of free base. The mesylate salts with higher solubilities showed significant levels of conversion to the free base. Conclusions  It appears that both the solubility and pH_max (the pH of a solution where there is saturation of both ionized and unionized species) of the salts, as well as the base solubility, play important roles in determining the susceptibility of salts to disproportionate. The extent of conversion was also affected by excipient properties, including basicity, solubility, physical state and surface area.     

Supersolubilization and Amorphization of a Model Basic Drug, Haloperidol, by Interaction with Weak Acids

Purpose

To present a novel approach of greatly enhancing aqueous solubility of a model weakly basic drug, haloperidol, by using weak acids that would not form salts with the drug and to attain physically stable form of amorphous drug by drying such aqueous solutions.

Method

Aqueous solubility of haloperidol in presence of increasing concentrations of four different weak organic acids (malic, tartaric, citric, fumaric) were determined. Several concentrated aqueous solutions with differing drug-to-acid molar ratios were dried in vacuum oven, and dried materials were characterized by DSC, powder XRD, dissolution testing, and stability study.

Result

Acids were selected such that they would not form salts with haloperidol. Haloperidol solubility increased greatly with increased concentrations of malic, tartaric and citric acids, reaching >300 mg/g of solution. In contrast to the haloperidol HCl aqueous solubility of 4 mg/g, this may be called supersolubilization. Fumaric acid did not cause such solubilization as it had low water solubility. Dried solids formed dispersions of amorphous haloperidol in acids that were either amorphous or partially crystalline. Amorphous haloperidol was physically stable and had better dissolution rate than HCl salt.

Conclusion

A novel method of drug solubilization in aqueous media by acid–base interaction is presented. Physically stable amorphous systems of drugs may also be prepared by using this organic solvent-free approach.     

In Situ Monitoring and Modeling of the Solution-Mediated Polymorphic Transformation of Rifampicin: From Form II to Form I

In this article, the solution-mediated polymorphic transformation of rifampicin was investigated and simulated in 3 solvents at 30°C. The solid-state form I and form II of rifampicin was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). To explore the relative stability, solubility data of form I and form II of rifampicin in butan-1-ol were determined using a dynamical method. In addition, Raman spectroscopy and focused beam reflectance measurement were used to in situ monitor the transformation of rifampicin from form II to form I. The liquid state concentration of rifampicin was measured by UV spectroscopic method. To investigate the effect of solvent on transformation, the transformation experiments were carried out in 3 solvents. Furthermore, a mathematical model was built to describe the kinetics of dissolution, nucleation, and growth processes during transformation by using experimental data. By combination of experimental and simulation results, it was found that the transformation process of rifampicin is controlled by dissolution of form II in heptane, whereas the transformation in hexane and octane was firstly controlled by dissolution of solid-state form and then controlled by growth of form I.     

In situ monitoring of carbamazepine–nicotinamide cocrystal intrinsic dissolution behaviour

Cocrystals have shown huge potential to improve the dissolution rate and absorption of a poorly water soluble drug. However, solution mediated phase transformation of cocrystals could greatly reduce the enhancement of its apparent solubility and dissolution rate. The aim of this study is to gain a deep understanding of the phase transition behaviour of cocrystals during dissolution and to investigate the improvement of dissolution rate. Dissolution and transformation behaviour of carbamazepine–nicotinamide (CBZ–NIC) cocrystal, physical mixture and different forms of carbamazepine: form I (CBZ I), form III (CBZ III) and dihydrate (CBZ DH) were studied by different in situ techniques of UV imaging and Raman spectroscopy. It has been found that compared with CBZ III and I, the rate of intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) of CBZ–NIC cocrystal decreases slowly during dissolution, indicating the rate of crystallisation of CBZ DH from the solution is slow. In situ solid-state characterisation has shown the evolution of conversion of CBZ–NIC cocrystal and polymorphs to its dihydrate form. The study has shown that in situ UV imaging and Raman spectroscopy with a complementary technique of SEM can provide an in depth understanding during dissolution of cocrystals.     

Dissolution rate of griseofulvin in bile salt solutions

Bile salts increase the apparent solubility of lipophilic poorly water-soluble drugs like griseofulvin. In this study, the dissolution kinetics of griseofulvin in solutions of bile salts (sodium taurocholate and sodium cholate) were investigated. A rotating disk apparatus was chosen to monitor dissolution kinetics; it well-defined hydrodynamic conditions allowed for analysis of the behavior of bile salt micelles under different conditions. Griseofulvin solubility and dissolution rate increased with increasing bile salt concentration in the dissolution medium. The enhancement of the dissolution rate was not linearly related to the solubility increase, as diffusional transport of the solubilized drug proved to be less efficient than transport of the unsolubilized ("free") drug. The dissolution process proved to be controlled by convective diffusion. An analysis of the data with the phase separation model provided results for the micellar diffusion coefficient comparable with literature data obtained with different techniques.     

Unusual solubility and dissolution behavior of pharmaceutical hydrochloride salts in chloride-containing media

The pH-solubility profiles of 3 pharmaceutical hydrochloride salts were determined in sodium acetate-hydrochloric acid buffer. Unusual pH-solubility profiles containing maxima at pH 4–6 were observed for phenazopyridine hydrochloride, cyproheptadine hydrochloride and bromhexine hydrochloride. The decrease in solubility at lower pH values was attributed to the common ion effect of chloride on the solubility product equilibrium of the hydrochloride salts. The dissolution behavior of the free bases and that of the hydrochloride salts of these drugs were compared in dilute hydrochloric acid solution, in pH range from 1.0 to 3.0. The apparent dissolution rates and solubilities of these hydrochlorides were less than those of the respective free base forms in the pH range of the stomach (pH 1.0–2.0). These results substantiated further the contention that the salt formation does not always result in an enhancement of solubility characteristics.     

In vitro controlled release of antihypertensive drugs intercalated into unmodified SBA-15 and MgO modified SBA-15 matrices

The aim of the present study was two-fold: (1) to investigate the effect of pH and presence of surfactant sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) on the solubility and dissolution rate of two solid-state forms of piroxicam (PRX), anhydrate (PRXAH) and monohydrate (PRXMH), and (2) to quantitatively assess the solid-phase transformation of PRXAH to PRXMH in slurry with a special interest to the impact on the solubility and dissolution behavior of the drug. X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for characterization of the solid-state forms. Phase transformation was monitored in slurry by means of in-line Raman spectroscopy, and the partial least squares (PLS) regression model was used for predicting the amount of PRXMH. The results showed that the solubility and dissolution rate of PRXAH were higher compared to PRXMH at different pHs. The pH and presence of SLS together affected the solubility and dissolution rate of different PRX forms. The lowest solubility values and dissolution rates for PRX forms were observed in distilled water (pH 5.6) at 37 °C. The changes in the dissolution rate could be explained by the hydrate formation during solubility testing. The rate of hydrate formation was also dependent on the pH of the dissolution medium.     

Dissolution rates of doxycycline free base and hydrochloride salts.

The dissolution rates of doxycycline monohydrate, hyclate, and hydrochloride dihydrate crystal forms were investigated using the static pellet method. Solubility product equilibria with chloride ion strongly suppressed the dissolution rate of the hydrochloride dihydrate salt. This form dissolved about fourfold slower in 0.1 N HCl than in water, which was consistent with its solubility in these media. Specificity for chloride was demonstrated by the rapid dissolution rate for the hydrochloride dihydrate in 0.1 N methanesulfonic acid. The dissolution rates of the hyclate, a solvated hydrochloride salt, and the free base were not sensitive to chloride ion. The results show that common ion equilibria with chloride can strongly reduce the dissolution rate of a thermodynamically stable hydrochloride salt form, while the free base or a metastable hydrochloride salt are not similarly affected.     

Salt formation to improve drug solubility

Salt formation is the most common and effective method of increasing solubility and dissolution rates of acidic and basic drugs. In this article, physicochemical principles of salt solubility are presented, with special reference to the influence of pH-solubility profiles of acidic and basic drugs on salt formation and dissolution. Non-ideality of salt solubility due to self-association in solution is also discussed. Whether certain acidic or basic drugs would form salts and, if salts are formed, how easily they would dissociate back into their free acid or base forms depend on interrelationships of several factors, such as S0 (intrinsic solubility), pH, pKa, Ksp (solubility product) and pHmax (pH of maximum solubility). The interrelationships of these factors are elaborated and their influence on salt screening and the selection of optimal salt forms for development are discussed. Factors influencing salt dissolution under various pH conditions, and especially in reactive media and in presence of excess common ions, are discussed, with practical reference to the development of solid dosage forms.     

Importance of using physiologically relevant volume of dissolution medium to correlate the oral exposure of formulations of BMS-480188 mesylate

BMS-480188 is a weak base. The aqueous solubility of BMS-480188 is 0.036 mg/ml at pH 6.5 at 37 degrees C. The mesylate salt of BMS-480188 was prepared to improve its solubility. Capsules containing mesylate salt alone (Formulation A) or mesylate salt with excipients, including lactose, croscarmellose sodium, sodium lauryl sulfate, syloid and magnesium stearate (Formulation B), were prepared. Both formulations show similar dissolution profiles in 1l 0.01N HCl at 37 degrees C. However, the bioavailability of Formulations A and B is 5.7 and 24%, respectively, in monkeys. Since very small amount of fluid is available in the stomach of monkeys in fasted state, 30 ml of 0.01N HCl was used as the dissolution medium to simulate the ratio of the drug to dissolution medium in vivo. The dissolution studies in 30 ml of 0.01N HCl show that the amount of drug dissolved from the Formulation B is 80% greater than the Formulation A after 2h. These results are consistent with the higher bioavailability of the formulated capsules. The pK(a) of the free base is 3.0 and the apparent solubility of the mesylate salt (>20mg/ml) is much greater than the equilibrium solubility of BMS-480188 (1.08 mg/ml) in 0.01N HCl at 37 degrees C. Therefore, the mesylate salt of BMS-480188 converts to the free base in 0.01N HCl. The presence of excipients delays the conversion of the mesylate salt to the free base in the dissolution test using 30 ml medium, leading to a greater percentage of the dissolved drugs. This inhibitory effect of excipients is masked during the dissolution using 1l medium because the concentration of the dissolved drug is below the solubility limit of BMS-480188. This study demonstrates the importance of the volume of the dissolution medium for the in vitro dissolution test to qualitatively predict the bioavailability of a salt of weak base with low intrinsic aqueous solubility.     

Transformation of Biopharmaceutical Classification System Class I and III Drugs Into Ionic Liquids and Lipophilic Salts for Enhanced Developability Using Lipid Formulations

Higher lipid solubility of lipophilic salt forms creates new product development opportunities for high-dose liquid-filled capsules. The purpose of this study is to determine if lipophilic salts of Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) Class I amlodipine and BCS Class III fexofenadine, ranitidine, and metformin were better lipid formulation candidates than existing commercial salts. Lipophilic salts were prepared from lipophilic anions and commercial HCl or besylate salt forms, as verified by ¹H-NMR. Thermal properties were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry and hot-stage microscopy. X-ray diffraction and polarized light microscopy were used to confirm the salt's physical form. All lipophilic salt forms were substantially more lipid-soluble (typically >10-fold) when compared to commercial salts. For example, amlodipine concentrations in lipidic excipients were limited to <5-10 mg/g when using the besylate salt but could be increased to >100 mg/g when using the docusate salt. Higher lipid solubility of the lipophilic salts of each drug translated to higher drug loadings in lipid formulations. In vitro tests showed that lipophilic salts solubilized in a lipid formulation resulted in dispersion behavior that was at least as rapid as the dissolution rates of conventional salts. This study confirmed the applicability of forming lipophilic salts of BCS I and III drugs to promote the utility of lipid-based delivery systems.     

Comparison of the physicochemical properties of the N-(2-hydroxyethyl) pyrrolidine, diethylamine and sodium salt forms of diclofenac.

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac have very low aqueous solubilities and consequently salt formation may be used to enhance solubility and dissolution rate. In this study, we examined the physicochemical properties of three diclofenac salts, diclofenac sodium (DNa), diclofenac N-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine (DHEP) and diclofenac diethylamine (DDEA), and their different solid state forms to determine the influence of salt form on solubility, dissolution rate and membrane transport. The equilibrium solubility of DDEA at 25 degrees C was determined as 33 mM, lower than the solubilities of DHEP (273 mM) and DNa (66 mM) previously reported (Ledwidge and Corrigan, 1998). In addition to the dihydrate form of DHEP previously characterised, monohydrate forms of DHEP and DDEA were identified. Intrinsic dissolution rate studies were used to determine the solubility ratios of the hydrated and anhydrous forms. The monohydrate form of DHEP was found to be 1.8 times less soluble than the anhydrate, whereas DDEA anhydrate was approximately 1.7 times as soluble as the monohydrate form. On investigation of the pH-solubility profile (25 degrees C) of DDEA, appreciable supersaturation (76 mM) relative to the theoretical profile, was detected at the pH(max). This contrasts with values of >800 and 67 mM for DHEP and DNa, respectively. The transport of salt solutions through a porous membrane (Visking) was investigated. A linear relationship between concentration (mM) and rate of transport (mmol/h) was established for DNa and DHEP solutions. The mass transfer coefficient determined for DHEP was lower than that for the other two salts. Nevertheless, the maximum transport rate obtained for DHEP is almost six times higher than that obtained for DDEA.     

Phase transformations of amlodipine besylate solid forms

Hydrate formation and dehydration phenomena are frequently encountered phase transformations during manufacturing and storage of the drug products. It is essential to understand, monitor, and control these transformations to ensure that the quality attributes of the drug product are not affected. In this work, phase transformations of the solid forms of amlodipine besylate (AMB) were studied using Raman and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. AMB exists as anhydrate (AH), monohydrate (MH), dihydrate (DH), and amorphous (AM) form. Solid form quantification models based on multivariate data analysis of the Raman and NIR spectra were developed. The AH, MH, and AM form were transformed to the DH during solubility measurements. The AH to DH transformation also occurred during wet granulation. The transformation kinetics were faster during wet granulation than during the solubility experiments. This was due to the shear forces involved in granulation that can facilitate nucleation and can enhance the overall transformation. The DH form present in the wet granules persisted after drying, and final granules contained a mixture of the AH and DH. The relative importance of the dissolution, nucleation, and growth steps for the transformation was elucidated using optical microscopy experiments. The transformation kinetics were found to be limited by nucleation and growth.     

Modeling and Monitoring of Polymorphic Transformations During the Drying Phase of Wet Granulation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to monitor polymorphic transformations of glycine during the drying phase of a wet granulation and model the polymorphic conversions using a time-based reconciliation model. METHODS: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) was used for quantitation of polymorphs, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) was used for qualitative analysis of polymorphs. RESULTS: The data show that the faster the granulation was dried, the more kinetic trapping of the metastable alpha-glycine polymorph, as predicted by reconciliation of the time scales of both the drying rate and the rate of the solution-mediated conversion. CONCLUSIONS: By knowing basic properties of the drug substance (solubility of the polymorphic forms and the rate of the solution-mediated conversion), processing conditions, such as the drying rate, can be adjusted to anticipate and prevent potential polymorphic transformations.     

Tablet Dissolution Affected by a Moisture Mediated Solid-State Interaction Between Drug and Disintegrant

Purpose. To investigate the cause for decrease in delavirdine mesylate 200 mg tablet dissolution upon exposure to high humidity. Methods. Dissolution testing was performed using the USP 2 (paddle) apparatus. Water in tablets was measured by Karl Fischer titration. ¹³C CP/MAS NMR was used to identify and quantify delavirdine form changes in tablets. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to monitor delavirdine form change in tablets and component mixes, and to investigate a solid state reaction with the disintegrant. Results. Dissolution extent of delavirdine mesylate 200 mg tablets was substantially decreased after exposure to high humidity. This effect is related to the amount of water present in the tablet matrix. ¹³C CP/ MAS NMR detected about 30% conversion from the mesylate salt of delavirdine to its free base form in the tablet matrix. FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrated that a solid state reaction occurs between the freed methanesulfonic acid and the carboxyl sites on the croscarmellose sodium disintegrant. Conclusions. Water is thought to act as both a reaction medium and a plasticizer for croscarmellose sodium, facilitating protonation of the carboxyl sites on the disintegrant. This reaction has the potential to occur for any acid salt of a free base. The limiting solubility of delavirdine free base formed in the tablets accounts for much of the decrease in the extent of dissolution. A change in inter-particle bonding can explain the reduction in tablet deaggregation during dissolution.     

Biopharmaceutical investigation of fenoprofen

The salts of fenoprofen formed with different metals have shown various crystal forms and solubility. The calcium salt has proved the most suitable characteristics for tablet and capsule production. Dissolution and absorption parameters of this substance were studied using in vitro and in vivo methods. The absorption rate and the correlation between pH and membrane diffusion rate constant were investigated in vitro using the "Sartorius" apparatus. The dissolution rate--depending on pH--was investigated by the oscillometric method. The in vivo disintegration of an experimental sample was compared with a commercial preparation. The comparison has been documented by endoscopic photography.