RESUMEN
We have designed gel formulations for the oral administration of acetaminophen with suitable rheological characteristics for ease of administration to patients with swallowing difficulties and sufficient integrity in the stomach to achieve a sustained release of this drug. Gels formed by agar and ι-carrageenan were assessed for suitable gel strength and in vitro and in vivo release characteristics. Comparison of 1.5% ι-carrageenan gel with 0.5% agar gel demonstrated improved sustained release properties of the ι-carrageenan gel. Gel formed by ι-carrageenan has suitable rheological and sustained release characteristics for potential use as vehicles for oral delivery of drugs to dysphagic patients.
Asunto(s)
Acetaminofén/administración & dosificación , Analgésicos no Narcóticos/administración & dosificación , Carragenina/química , Trastornos de Deglución/fisiopatología , Administración Oral , Agar/química , Animales , Química Farmacéutica , Trastornos de Deglución/tratamiento farmacológico , Preparaciones de Acción Retardada , Evaluación Preclínica de Medicamentos , Geles , Humanos , RatasRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Oral sustained release gel formulations may provide a means of administering drugs to dysphagic and geriatric patients who have difficulties with handling and taking oral dosage forms. AIM: We have designed gel formulations for the oral administration of paracetamol with suitable rheological characteristics for ease of administration to patients with swallowing difficulties and sufficient integrity in the acidic environment of the stomach to achieve a sustained release of this drug. METHOD: Gels formed by gelatin, agar, gellan, pectin, and xyloglucan were assessed for suitable gel strength and in vitro and in vivo release characteristics. RESULTS: Gellan (1.5% w/v) and xyloglucan gels (1.5% w/w) had acceptable gel strengths for ease of swallowing and retained their integrity in the rat stomach sufficiently well to sustain the release of paracetamol over a period of 6 hours. Comparison of 1.5% xyloglucan gels with a commercially available preparation with identical paracetamol concentrations demonstrated improved sustained release properties of the xyloglucan gels. CONCLUSIONS: Gels formed by gellan and xyloglucan have suitable rheological and sustained release characteristics for potential use as vehicles for oral delivery of drugs to dysphagic patients.