Formulation of instant disintegrating buccal films without using disintegrant: An in-vitro study.

The current study was conducted to fabricate Metoclopramide HCL (MCH) and Sumatriptan succinate (SS) instant release buccal films (IRBF) without using any super disintegrant. The solvent casting method was used for the preparation of IRBFs and prepared IRBFs were physicochemically evaluated. Spectrophotometric analysis was done to determine the lambda max followed by the linearity determination of both drugs. Different concentrations such as 100, 125, and 150mg of hydrophilic polymer (HPMC E5) were employed but the concentration of glycerol was variable. Comparatively better results were observed for the formulation with 150mg of HPMC E5 and 30% glycerol. Formulated IRBFs showed good tensile strength with a mean disintegration time of 12.4-28.4 seconds and rapid dissolution with more than 50% drug release within 2 minutes. It was concluded that the chosen combination of polymers was appropriate for the fabrication of MCH and SS buccal strips.

Quality by Design (QbD)-Based Numerical and Graphical Optimization Technique for the Development of Osmotic Pump Controlled-Release Metoclopramide HCl Tablets.

PURPOSE: To develop the osmotically controlled-release gastroprokinetic metoclopramide HCl tablets, using quality by design (QbD)-numerical and graphical optimization technique for the treatment of gastroparesis and prophylaxis of delayed nausea and vomiting induced by low-high emetogenic chemotherapy. METHODS: Formulations were designed by central composite design using Design Expert version 11.0.0, with osmogen concentration (X1), orifice size (X2), and tablet weight gain after coating (X3) as input and in-vitro drug release at 1hr. (Y1), 6 hrs. (Y2), and 12 hrs. (Y3), and the regression coefficient of drug release data fitted to zero-order, RSQ zero (Y4) as output variables. Core tablets prepared by direct compression were coated with Opadry® CA. The experimental design was validated by the polynomial equation. A correlation between predicted and observed values was evaluated by random checkpoint analysis. The optimized formulations were characterized for drug release, pH effect, osmolarity, agitation intensity, surface morphology, and stability study, and were subjected to accelerated studies according to ICH guidelines. RESULTS: The interaction charts and response surface plots deduced a significant simultaneous effect of X variables on in vitro drug release and RSQ zero. The numerical optimization model predicted >90% drug release with X1 (13.30%), X2 (0.6 mm), and X3 (7.96%). Random checkpoint analysis showed a good correlation between predicted and observed values. The optimized formulation followed zero-order kinetics (r2=0.9703) drug release. Shelf life calculated was 2.8 years as per ICH guidelines. CONCLUSION: The QbD-based approach was found successful in developing controlled release osmotic tablets of metoclopramide HCl, for reducing the dosage frequency, better emetic control, and improve patient compliance.

Utilization of Diluted Compendial Media as Dissolution Test Solutions with Low Buffer Capacity for the Investigation of Dissolution Rate of Highly Soluble Immediate Release Drug Products.

Research from the past decade has shown that the buffer capacities of intestinal fluids are much lower than those in the media used for dissolution test of many solid formulations. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of buffer capacity on the dissolution profiles of highly soluble drug products, using metoclopramide (a biopharmaceutics classification system [BCS] class III drug) tablets as a model. The dissolution profiles of three metoclopramide products were obtained in Japanese pharmacopeia dissolution medium (pH 1.2 and 6.8), diluted medium with low buffer capacity comparable to that of gastrointestinal fluid, and other biorelevant media. One product showed slower dissolution in the medium with lower buffer capacity (bio-relevant, diluted compendial solution), but substantially similar dissolution in the compendial test solutions. Disintegration difference was implied to be involved in the different dissolution profiles depending on the medium buffer capacity. This study indicated the importance of media buffer capacity as a factor inducing different dissolution between products of highly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients. The diluted compendial media would be a useful alternative to biorelevant media for the detection of the different formulation performances depending on the buffer capacities.

Mucoadhesive thermoreversible formulation of metoclopramide for rectal administration: a promising strategy for potential management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

The study aimed to investigate the feasibility of incorporation of metoclopramide hydrochloride (MCP HCl) in mucoadhesive thermoreversible liquid suppository (MCP HCl-LS) to bypass the first-pass metabolism and maximize its efficacy to be a promising substitute for parenteral therapy. MCP HCl-LS was formulated using Pluronic (PF127/PF68) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and in vitro evaluated through their gelation temperature, gel strength (GS), mucoadhesive force, and in vitro release studies. Also, the MCP HCl-LS was evaluated for its rheological behavior and examined for rectal mucosal integrity after administration. The results revealed that the MCP HCl-LS; composed of PF127/PF68/HPMC (20/7/0.5% w/w) was in the liquid state at room temperature, experienced gelation at 30.23 °C, with suitable GS of 28.66 s and rectal retention force of 43.03 × 102 dyne/cm2. The pharmacokinetic data showed that the MCP HCl-LS exhibited a significant increase (p < 0.05) in AUC0-480 (219.688 vs 172.333 ng.h.mL-1 of the marketed) and 1.3-fold increase in relative bioavailability compared to Primperan® suppository, indicating that LS formula bypassed the first-pass metabolism. Moreover, MCP HCl-LS did not cause any morphological harm to the rectal tissues suggested that the developed formulation was safe and could be a potentially useful alternative drug carrier for rectal delivery of MCP HCl in patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Modern pediatric formulations of the soft candies in the form of a jelly: determination of metoclopramide content and dissolution.

In pediatrics, it is crucial to ameliorate the unpleasant taste of oral pharmaceutical formulations in order to facilitate patient compliance. Scientists' attempt to develop modern products for children is included among the new trends in pharmaceutical technology. Designing the preparation procedures and selecting the age-appropriate dosage form should be based on a benefit-risk approach, taking into account safety, efficacy, ease of use and accessibility to the patient. Part of this process should examine the necessity for taste masking, considering organoleptic and physicochemical properties of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. This research describes the incorporation of metoclopramide hydrochloride in the form of a soft candy (jelly) containing pomegranate juice. The low cost excipients and the ease of preparation are such characteristics that qualify the proposed technique as one of the alternative methods for modern drug formulations. At the same time, metoclopramide is quantitatively determined by developing a reverse phase HPLC method. The method is accurate (%RSD = 2.63, %mean recovery = 100.75) and can be used for routine analysis. The stability of metoclopramide was satisfactory after 6 months of storage (recovery 103.43%). Dissolution of the drug exceeded 92%. The proposed formulation enclosing metoclopramide in a jelly is modern, palatable and can be administered to children.

Advanced approaches for the treatment and amplification of weak spectral signals produced by critical concentrations in white multicomponent systems.

An analytical investigation was carried out to study the treatment and amplification of the spectral signals produced by critical concentrations with high accuracy and precision using two advanced approaches. The factorized-spectrum approach was applied through two novel methods which were: absorptivity centering technique via both: factorized zero order absorption spectrum (ACT-FSD0ΔA) and factorized ratio spectrum (ACT-FSRΔP). The proposed methods were found to be linear in the ranges of (15-100 µg/mL) and (3-40 µg/mL) for ASP and MTO, respectively. Those methods were compared to the methods following the geometrical standard addition approach: ratio H-point standard addition method (RHPSAM) and geometrical induced amplitude modulation (GIAM). The approaches were applied for the determination of the minor component metoclopramide in its mixture with the major component aspirin in the challengeable ratio of (1,90) respectively in a white multicomponent system. The results obtained from the proposed approaches were statistically compared with each other. The methods were validated according to ICH guidelines where the results were found to be within the acceptable limits. The methods were found to be accurate and reliable for the determination of metoclopramide critical concentration besides aspirin concentration. The results of single factor ANOVA analysis indicated that there is no significant difference among the developed methods. These methods provided simple resolution of this binary combination from synthetic mixtures and pharmaceutical preparation and can be conveniently adopted for routine quality control analysis.

Mucoadhesive micro-composites: Chitosan coated halloysite nanotubes for sustained drug delivery.

It was aim of this study to synthesize micro-composites comprising halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and the cationic polymer chitosan as mucoadhesive sustained release drug delivery system. Micro-composites were characterized for preparation yield, size, micromeritic properties and swelling behavior. Chemical composition of micro-composites was characterized by FTIR, XRD and TGA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study their surface morphology. Micro-composites were studied for adhesion on intestinal mucosa as well as for release behavior of metoclopramide hydrochloride used as model drug. Preparation yield was found to be in the range of 35.14 ± 1.5-53.97 ± 5.23%. Micro-composites exhibited a mean size range of 0.151 ± 0.49 µm. SEM showed a spherical shape with rough curved porous surface. Micro-composites exhibited excellent flowability and maximum swelling at acidic pH. XRD results showed crystalline nature of micro-composites. HNTs/micro-composites with highest concentration of chitosan displayed maximum adherence of 89 ± 1.79% on intestinal mucosa after 3 h. Drug release recorded was 66.8% at pH 1.2 and 46.7% at pH 5.5 within 25 h. Chitosan coated HNTs showed remarkable mucoadhesion and sustained release of metoclopramide proving their suitability as mucoadhesive drug delivery system.

Gastroparesis, metoclopramide, and tardive dyskinesia: Risk revisited.

BACKGROUND: Metoclopramide is primarily a dopamine receptor antagonist, with 5HT3 receptor antagonist and 5HT4 receptor agonist activity, and used as an antiemetic and gastroprokinetic since almost 50 years. Regulatory authorities issued restrictions and recommendations regarding long-term use of the drug at oral doses exceeding 10 mg 3-4 times daily because of the risk for development of tardive dyskinesia. The aim of our study was to review mechanism(s) of action and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic properties of metoclopramide, as well as the risk of metoclopramide-induced tardive dyskinesia, factors that may change drug exposure in humans, and to summarize the clinical context for appropriate use of the drug. METHODS: A PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cross Reference search was done using the key words and combined searches: drug-drug interaction, gastroparesis, metoclopramide, natural history, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug-drug interaction, outcome, risk factors, tardive dyskinesia. KEY RESULTS: Data show that the risk of tardive dyskinesia from metoclopramide is low, in the range of 0.1% per 1000 patient years. This is far below a previously estimated 1%-10% risk suggested in treatment guidelines by regulatory authorities. High-risk groups are elderly females, diabetics, patients with liver or kidney failure, and patients with concomitant antipsychotic drug therapy, which reduces the threshold for neurological complications. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: The risk of tardive dyskinesia due to metoclopramide is far below approximated numbers in treatment guidelines. This risk and the influence of known risk factors should be considered when starting a course of metoclopramide for treatment of gastroparesis.

Fragmentation studies of selected drugs utilized in palliative care.

The results of research on selected drugs used in palliative care are presented, including fentanyl, tramadol, metoclopramide, hyoscine butylbromide, midazolam, haloperidol, levomepromazine and clonazepam. Interpretation of their ESI mass spectra obtained by the use of a triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer is given. As a result, fragmentation pathways described in the literature are complemented and presented with more details. On their basis, transitions for quantitative analysis are selected and chromatographic conditions for the determination of the palliative care drugs are proposed as well. These results enable future studies on palliative care drugs in elderly patients including both their quantitation in body fluids and easier identification of their metabolites.

Microstructural Distinction of Electrospun Nanofibrous Drug Delivery Systems Formulated with Different Excipients.

The electrospun nanofiber-based orally dissolving webs are promising candidates for rapid drug release, which is due to the high surface area to volume ratio of the fibers and the high amorphization efficacy of the fiber formation process. Although the latter is responsible for the physical and/or chemical instability of these systems. The primary aim of the present study was to elucidate how the addition of polysorbate 80 (PS80) and hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD) influenced the electrospinning process, the properties, and the behavior of the obtained nanofibers. In order to reveal any subtle changes attributable to the applied excipients, the prepared samples were subjected to several state of the art imaging and solid state characterization techniques at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed the viscoelastic nature of the fibrous samples. At relatively low forces mostly elastic deformation was observed, while at higher loads plasticity predominated. The use of polysorbate led to about two times stiffer, less plastic fibers than the addition of cyclodextrin. The 1H-13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) cross-polarization build-up curves pointed out that cyclodextrin acts as an inner, while polysorbate acts as an outer plasticizer and, due to its "liquid-like" behavior, can migrate in the polymer-matrix, which results in the less plastic behavior of this formulation. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) measurements also confirmed the enhanced mobility of the polysorbate and the molecular packing enhancer properties of the cyclodextrin. Solid-state methods suggested amorphous precipitation of the active ingredient in the course of the electrospinning process; furthermore, the nature of the amorphous systems was verified by NMR spectroscopy, which revealed that the use of the examined additives enabled the development of a molecularly dispersed systems of different homogeneities. An accelerated stability study was carried out to track physical state related changes of the incorporated drug and the polymeric carrier. Recrystallization of the active ingredient could not be observed, which indicated a large stress tolerance capacity, but time-dependent microstructural changes were seen in the presence of polysorbate. Raman mapping verified homogeneous drug distribution in the nanofibrous orally dissolving webs. The performed dissolution study indicated that the drug dissolution from the fibers was rapid and complete, but the formed stronger interaction in the case of the PVA-CD-MH system resulted in a little bit slower drug release, compared to the PS80 containing formulation. The results obviously show that the complex physicochemical characterization of the polymer-based fibrous delivery systems is of great impact since it enables the better understanding of material properties including the supramolecular interactions of multicomponent systems and consequently the rational design of drug-loaded nanocarriers of required stability.

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Analysis of the Effect of Metoclopramide and Related Compounds on the Surface Ionization of Fumed Silica.

Potentiometric titration curves were generated for fumed silica with various concentrations of dissolved metoclopramide. The effects of various benzamide analogs of metoclopramide, which are positively charged in the titration medium and differ solely by their aromatic substituents, as well as lidocaine, which is also structurally analogous but is mainly in the unionized form, were also studied. At sufficiently high pH, pH 7.0 and above, the silica surface charge was independent of the metoclopramide concentration. A reasonable linear relationship with a positive slope was found between the logarithmic octanol-water partition coefficient (log P) values of the compounds and the negative surface charge determined at pH 7.0 and 7.2. These results can be attributed to specific adsorbate-surface interactions rather than concentration effects. The carbonyl oxygens of the benzamide structures most likely form hydrogen bonds with the neutral silanols. The use of positively charged triethylamine and ephedrine resulted in surface charge values that were the least negative in the aforementioned quantitative structure-activity relationship analyses. These results are consistent with ionic interactions between the positively charged aliphatic amine groups and the negatively charged surface silanols occurring simultaneously with the nonionic interactions.

Molecular perspectives on solid-state phase transformation and chemical reactivity of drugs: metoclopramide as an example.

Here, I provide an overview of the solid-state characteristics, phase transformations and chemical reactions of metoclopramide hydrochloride monohydrate (MCP HCl H2O). Three unique techniques, including thermoanalytical methods, one-step simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy, and hot-stage microscopic (HSM) imaging, have been applied to study the solid-state phase transitions of MCP HCl H2O in continuous dehydration, amorphization and recrystallization processes. I also review the effects of grinding or heating on ion-exchange reactions, milling, compression or colyophilization on Maillard reactions, and γ-ray irradiation or electron beams on radiolysis in the solid state. I also report the exposure of MCP HCl H2O in solution to light, irradiation, oxidants or π-acceptors. This review will serve as a useful keynote for the evolving realm of solid-state chemistry research.

The influence of the adsorption of metoclopramide on the surface ionization of fumed silica.

The effect of adsorbed metoclopramide on the surface ionization of fumed silica was studied using potentiometric titration. Adsorption isotherms of metoclopramide to unionized and negatively-charged silica surfaces were generated and compared to the titration data. The adsorption of metoclopramide caused the silica surface charge to become more negative with increasing pH that was independent of ionic strength which suggested that specific adsorbate-surface interactions were occurring. Adsorption studies showed that metoclopramide adsorbs to the unionized silica surface. Ionization caused drug adsorption to increase which was consistent with at least two distinct surface adsorption sites. The ratio of the additional amount of metoclopramide adsorbed to the surface ionized group density determined from the titration curves was approximately unity which showed conclusively that the negatively-charged silanols constitute one of the surface adsorption sites. Potentiometric titration has been shown to be a useful technique for determining the number and types of adsorption sites on the silica surface.

Stability of i.v. admixture containing metoclopramide, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, and dexamethasone sodium phosphate in 0.9% sodium chloride injection.

PURPOSE: The chemical stability of a sterile admixture containing metoclopramide 1.6 mg/mL, diphenhydramine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL, and dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.16 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection was evaluated. METHODS: Triplicate samples were prepared and stored at room temperature without light protection for a total of 48 hours. Aliquots from each sample were tested for chemical stability immediately after preparation and at 1, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Metoclopramide, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, and dexamethasone sodium phosphate were selectively monitored using multiple-reaction monitoring. Samples were diluted differently for quantitation using three individual LC-MS/MS methods. To determine the drug concentration of the three compounds in the samples, three calibration curves were constructed by plotting the peak area or the peak area ratio versus the concentration of the calibration standards of each tested compound. Apixaban was used as an internal standard. Linearity of the calibration curve was evaluated by the correlation coefficient r(2). RESULTS: Constituents of the admixture of metoclopramide 1.6 mg/mL, diphenhydramine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL, and dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.16 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection retained more than 90% of their initial concentrations over 48 hours of storage at room temperature without protection from light. The observed variability in concentrations of these three compounds was within the limits of assay variability. CONCLUSION: An i.v. admixture containing metoclopramide 1.6 mg/mL, diphenhydramine hydrochloride 2 mg/mL, and dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.16 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection was chemically stable for 48 hours when stored at room temperature without light protection.

Derivative spectrophotometric and liquid chromatographic methods for the simultaneous determination of metoclopramide hydrochloride and aspirin in pharmaceuticals.

Two simple analytical methods were developed and validated for the analysis of a binary mixture of metoclopramide (MET) and aspirin (ASP). The first method depends on measuring the first derivative amplitudes at 257 nm for MET and at 310 nm for ASP, respectively. The calibration graphs were linear in the range of 0.25-20.0 µg/mL for MET and 10.0-200.0 µg/mL for ASP. For the second method, good chromatographic separation was achieved using Promosil C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm particle size). Mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.02 M phosphate buffer in the ratio of 60:40 (v/v) at pH 4.0 was pumped at a flow rate of 1 mL/min with UV detection at 260 nm. Indapamide was used as an internal standard. The method showed good linearity over the concentration ranges of 0.20-10.0 and 10.0-200.0 µg/mL with limits of detection of 0.06, 1.81 µg/mL and limits of quantification of 0.17, 5.46 µg/mL for MET and ASP, respectively. The results of the proposed methods were statistically compared with those obtained by the official United States Pharmacopeia method revealing non-significant differences in the performance of the methods regarding accuracy and precision. The suggested methods were successfully applied for the simultaneous analysis of the studied drugs in their co-formulated tablets as well as in their single dosage forms.

Charge-transfer interactions of metoclopramide nausea drug against six kind of π-acceptors: spectral and thermal discussions.

The target of this paper is aimed to discuss the fast and newly techniques in order to assessment the metoclopramide (Mcp) nausea drug in pure form in solid and solution shape with different kind of π-acceptors upon charge transfer interactions. Charge-transfer complexes (CTC) of metoclopramide with picric acid (PA), 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinon (DDQ), tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), m-dinitrobenzene (DNB), p-nitrobenzoic acid (p-NBA) and tetrachloro-p-quinon (p-CL) have been studied spectrophotometrically in absolute methanol at room temperature. The stoichiometries of the complexes were found to be 1:1 ratio by the spectrophotometric titration between metoclopramide and represented π-acceptors. The equilibrium constants, molar extinction coefficient (εCT) and spectroscopic-physical parameters (standard free energy (ΔG°), oscillator strength (ƒ), transition dipole moment (µ), resonance energy (RN) and ionization potential (ID)) of the complexes were determined upon the modified Benesi-Hildebrand equation. The results indicate that the formation constants for the complexes depend on the nature of electron acceptors and configuration of drug donor, and also the spectral studies of the complexes were determined by (infrared, Raman, and (1)H NMR) spectra and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The charge-transfer complexes are formed during the interaction of electron-acceptors and electron-donors as result of partial or complete transfer of a negative charge from (D(+)-A(-)).

The impact of the EMA change in definition of "dose" on the BCS dose-solubility ratio: a review of the biowaiver monographs.

The Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) defines the solubility characteristics of an active pharmaceutical substance based on its dose-solubility ratio: for highly soluble drugs this ratio is less than 250 mL over a defined pH range. Prior to the revision of the European Medicines Agency (EMA, formerly EMEA) guideline in 2010, the "dose" in this ratio was consistently defined by the US FDA, the EMA, and the WHO biowaiver guidelines as the highest dosage strength. However, in the revised EMA guideline, the dose is defined as the highest single dose administered according to the Summary of Product Characteristics. The new EMA criterion for highly soluble may be closer to the actual conditions of use, but it is not in line with the dose that would be used in the in vivo bioequivalence study. This paper evaluates the impact on the BCS classification of the active pharmaceutical ingredients of the published biowaiver monographs and discusses the consequences of the possible change in classification on biowaiver recommendations. Using the current definition of dose by the EMA, the biowaiver recommendations for metoclopramide hydrochloride and verapamil hydrochloride are no longer valid according to EMA criteria. For prednisolone and prednisone, a reevaluation of the biowaiver recommendation, taking into account the usual dosing levels, seems appropriate.

Particle condition change in emulsion admixture evaluated by in situ flow particle imaging analysis.

We evaluated the particle state change in emulsion admixtures using in situ flow particle imaging analysis (FPIA). Ropion® intravenous (flurbiprofen axetil: Ropion®) served as the model emulsion formulation. A binary mixture of Ropion® and normal saline (NS), and a ternary admixture of Ropion®, NS, and Gaster® injection (famotidine: Gaster®) or Primperan® injection (metoclopramide hydrochloride: Primperan®) were prepared and the change in emulsion particle state was analyzed using FPIA under in situ condition. The effect of storage on pH change and the chemical stability of flurbiprofen axetil were also investigated. In Ropion®, various particle images (mean diameter: 2.4 µm) were obtained. From our analysis of changes in scattergrams and particle images, changing behaviors of emulsion particles as a function of storage time depended on the systems of admixture samples. In Ropion®/NS and Ropion®/Gaster®/NS systems, mean particle size and particle number increased with lengthening storage time; however, these values were dramatically increased beyond 6 h in the Ropion®/Primperan®/NS system, corresponding to a decrease in measured pH. The decomposition of flurbiprofen axetil due to incompatibility was not observed in all systems. Detailed information on the change in emulsion particle state was obtained using FPIA, indicating that this method is useful to evaluate state changes in emulsion admixtures under in situ condition.

Zero-order release profile of metoclopramide hydrochloride sublingual tablet formulation.

This report describes zero-order approximation for metoclopramide hydrochloride sublingual tablet formulation. Effects of type and concentration of excipients on release were investigated. Study revealed that highest rate of dissolution was attained with crosspovidone and decreased in the order crosspovidone > sodium starch glycolate > ac-di-sol. All formulations demonstrated flush release, except the one containing 10% crosspovidone where a lag time of 0.5 min. was depicted. Increasing the concentration of crosspovidone from 5 to 10% gave the same half-life, whereas kinetics of release changed to zero order. Differential scanning colorimetry and infrared spectroscopy did not reveal any sign of physical or chemical interaction between drug and crosspovidone. In order to study the alignment of polymeric network inside tablet matrix, scanning electron microscopy was performed on the tablet and its cross-section. Matrix with 10% crosspovidone showed higher density of interconnections extending to the interior of core enabling fast and constant release. Hence physicochemical characteristics of crosspovidone could be tailored by varying its concentration, in a way that provided a porous matrix with tight arrangement of polymeric chains, resembling to an assemblage of cylinders with constant apertures, from which zero-order release was approached.

Effect of metoclopramide on the excretion rate of paracetamol using HPLC-DAD.

A simple, precise, accurate and robust high-performance liquid chromatography assay was developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of metoclopramide and paracetamol in human urine. The drugs were isolated from urine samples by solid-phase extraction using C8 cartridges, then analyzed on a C18 reversed-phase column using a mixture of aqueous phase (water containing 0.2% TEA adjusted to pH 3 using ortho-phosphoric acid) and methanol in a ratio of 80:20 (v/v). The method was found to be linear for both drugs in a concentration range of 0.5 to 160 µg/mL using a concentration of 10 µg/mL of internal standard (theophylline) in urine samples (r > 0.999). The accuracy of the method was higher than 91.73% (percentage of the grand mean of recoveries) and the precision was lower than 3.4% (overall percentage of relative standard deviation) for both metoclopramide and paracetamol. The method was applied to the determination of the drugs in urine samples obtained from male volunteers, following the administration of two formulations, one containing paracetamol alone (Paracetamol(®)) and the other containing a mixture of paracetamol and metoclopramide (Migracicid(®)). Determination of the drugs was conducted and the effect of increasing the rate of absorption, consequently increasing the mean urinary excretion of paracetamol due to the presence of metoclopramide in the pharmaceutical formulation, was recorded.