An Agile and Accurate Approach for N-Nitrosamines Detection and Quantification in Medicines by DART-MS.

N-nitrosamines (NAs) are prevalent mutagenic impurities in various consumer products. Their discovery in valsartan-containing medicines in 2018 prompted global regulatory agencies to set guidelines on their presence and permissible levels in pharmaceuticals. In order to determine the NAs content in medicines, efficient and sensitive analytical methods have been developed based on mass spectrometry techniques. Direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (DART-MS) has emerged as a prominent ambient ionization technique for pharmaceutical analysis due to its high-throughput capability, simplicity, and minimal sample preparation requirements. Thus, in this study DART-MS was evaluated for the screening and quantification of NAs in medicines. DART-MS analyses were conducted in positive ion mode, for both direct tablet analysis and solution analysis. The analytical performance was evaluated regarding linearity, precision, accuracy, limits of detection, and quantification. The DART-MS proved to be suitable for the determination of NAs in medicines, whether through direct tablet analysis or solution analysis. The analytical performance demonstrated linearity in the range from 1.00 to 200.00 ng mL-1, limits of quantification about 1.00 ng mL-1, precision and accuracy lower than 15%, and no significant matrix effect for six drug-related NAs. In conclusion, the DART-MS technique demonstrated to be an alternative method to determine NAs in medicines, aligning with the principles of green chemistry.

Overview of Analytical Methods for Evaluating Tinidazole.

BACKGROUND: Tinidazole (TIN) has amoebicidal, giardicidal, antifungal, and antimicrobial activities. It is marketed in the form of tablets. Analytical methods to assess the quality of TIN-based products are essential for correct pharmacotherapy. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to show an overview of the existing analytical methods for evaluating TIN, according to the quality control (QC) analysis routine and green analytical chemistry (GAC). RESULTS: Official compendia show a method for evaluating TIN in tablets by nonaqueous titration, which has limitations (materials on the mg scale using solvents considered not recommended and harmful). The literature shows some analytical methods for evaluating TIN, both physicochemical and microbiological. The most used physicochemical method is UV (41%), and second is HPLC (28%). Among the microbiological methods, agar diffusion and turbidimetric methods are equally divided. The most studied matrix is TIN tablets (73%), and the most used solvent is methanol. CONCLUSIONS: The literature shows space for the development of analytical methods according to GAC for evaluating TIN, optimizing time, resources, and materials, reducing waste generation, and opting for less aggressive reagents, solvents, and diluents. HIGHLIGHTS: This review shows the status of analytical methods, both physicochemical and microbiological, for the analysis of TIN in pharmaceutical matrix, in the context of routine analysis of the chemical-pharmaceutical industries and of GAC.

Statistical process control of manufacturing tablets for antiretroviral therapy

Abstract In this study, the manufacturing process of lamivudine (3TC) and zidovudine (AZT) tablets (150+300 mg respectively) was evaluated using statistical process control (SPC) tools. These medicines are manufactured by the Fundação para o Remédio Popular "Chopin Tavares de Lima" (FURP) laboratory, and are distributed free of charge to patients infected with HIV by the Ministry of Health DST/AIDS national program. Data of 529 batches manufactured from 2012 to 2015 were collected. The critical quality attributes of weight variation, uniformity of dosage units, and dissolution were evaluated. Process stability was assessed using control charts, and the capability indices Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk (process capability; process capability adjusted for non-centered distribution; potential or global capability of the process; and potential process capability adjusted for non-centered distribution, respectively) were evaluated. 3TC dissolution data from 2013 revealed a non-centered process and lack of consistency compared to the other years, showing Cpk and Ppk lower than 1.0 and the chance of failure of 2,483 in 1,000,000 tablets. Dissolution data from 2015 showed process improvement, revealed by Cpk and Ppk equal to 2.19 and 1.99, respectively. Overall, the control charts and capability indices showed the variability of the process and special causes. Additionally, it was possible to point out the opportunities for process changes, which are fundamental for understanding and supporting a continuous improvement environment.

Eco-Friendly UV Spectrophotometric Method for Evaluation of Marbofloxacin in Tablets: Stability Study.

BACKGROUND: Marbofloxacin (MAR) is an antimicrobial for veterinary use, and it does not have a monograph in an official compendium for the pharmaceutical form in tablets. OBJECTIVE: In this context, the objective of this work was to develop and validate an effective, eco-friendly, and indicative of stability method by spectrophotometry in the ultraviolet region (UV) for quantitative evaluation of MAR in tablets. METHOD: Purified water-ethanol (80:20, v/v) as a diluent, quartz cubette and 296 nm were used. RESULTS: The method was linear in the range of 3-9 µg/mL (0.9994) with detection and quantification limits of 0.39 and 1.18 µg/mL, respectively, selective in the comparison of standard and sample, precise in intraday (RSD 1.20%), interday (RSD 1.68%), and between analysts (RSD 3.26%) levels, exact with average recovery of 100.39% and robust against small changes in wavelength, diluent concentration, and the use of the ultrasound device. The forced degradation test (sample solutions prepared in 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NaOH, and neutral conditions and kept at 60°C during 2 h, and exposure to UV 254 nm lamp at ambient temperature during 2 h) showed that the proposed method is able to assess the susceptibility of MAR. CONCLUSIONS: The method can be reliably applied in routine analysis of MAR in tablets as well as being stable, eco-friendly, effective, accessible, and following the principles of green analytical chemistry. HIGHLIGHTS: MAR, an antimicrobial for veterinary use, does not have a monograph in an official compendium for final product evaluation. The use of MAR-based products with inadequate quality can leave residues in foods of animal origin and can also contribute to microbial resistance. So, an ecologically correct and reliable method was developed to evaluate MAR in a final product.

An Overview of Analytical Methods for the Quantification of Marbofloxacin in Pharmaceutical, Biological, and Food Matrixes.

BACKGROUND: Marbofloxacin (MAR), a second-generation fluoroquinolone, is used in veterinary medicine in the form of tablets. It has a broad spectrum of action, low toxicity, and limited development of bacterial resistance. The analytical methods available in the literature become more important since MAR in tablets does not have a monograph in official compendiums. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to review the methods according to the analyzed matrix and place them according to the conditions used in the scope of green analytical chemistry, in addition to discussing possible gaps and opportunities for the development of new methods. RESULTS: MAR, being an antimicrobial, presents both physicochemical (93%) and microbiological (7%) methods in the literature. Among the methods found, 53% are for analysis of food matrixes using preferably HPLC and TLC-MS, 27% are for analysis of biological matrixes and 20% are for analysis of pharmaceutical matrixes, and in both HPLC is preferably used. CONCLUSION: Therefore, there is still a gap in the literature in relation to other analytical methods for the analysis of MAR, which are faster, such as microbiological turbidimetry, sustainable, such as miniaturized methods, and ecologically correct, such as those that do not use toxic organic solvents. HIGHLIGHTS: A review of the analytical methods available in the literature for assessing the quality of MAR and MAR-based products in which the methods, as well as new opportunities for analysis according to green analytical chemistry, were described and discussed.

Sustained release matrix tablet of 100 mg losartan potassium: Formulation development and in vitro characterization

Abstract Sustained release matrix tablets of 100 mg losartan potassium HCl were fabricated with two release retarding polymers namely HPMC K100 M and affinisol by direct compression method. Nine trial formulations were prepared by varying content of these polymers, each from 50 mg to 100 mg; keeping the total weight of the tablet 310 mg. The best formulation was selected based on in vitro drug release profile for 12 hours conducted in Type II dissolution apparatus at 50 rpm and water as dissolution medium. Pre-compression parameters such as bulk density, tap density, Carr's index and Hausner ratio were evaluated for the selected tablet. The tablets were subjected to thickness, weight variation test, drug content, hardness and friability. Drug release kinetics, surface morphology and accelerated stability study were investigated for that selected formulation. Formulation F4 with the composition of 75 mg HPMC K100M and 100 mg affinisol was selected as the best formulation that extended the drug release up to 12 hours. Pre-compression parameters and other tableting properties were within the Pharmacopoeia limit. Release kinetics analysis proved non-fickian zero-order drug release and that was further confirmed by surface morphology of the tablets before and after dissolution study visualized by SEM. The developed formulation was found to be stable for one month stored at 60 ○C.

Development of controlled release dexketoprofen tablets and prediction of drug release using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) modelling

Dexketoprofen trometamol (DT) is an active S (+) enantiomer of ketoprofen, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. DT has a short biological half-life and the dosing interval is quite short when there is a need to maintain the desirable effect for longer time periods. Consequently, a controlled release DT tablet was designed for oral administration aiming to minimize the number of doses and the possible side effects. Calculations of the parameters for controlled release DT tablets were shown clearly. Controlled release matrix-type tablet formulations were prepared using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (low and high viscosity), Eudragit RS and Carbopol, and the effects of different polymers on DT release from the tablet formulations were investigated. The dissolution rate profiles were compared and analyzed kinetically. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model was developed to predict drug release and a successful model was obtained. Subsequently, an optimum formulation was selected and evaluated in terms of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. Although the developed controlled release tablets did not have an initial dose, they were found to be as effective as commercially available tablets on the market. Dissolution and in vivo studies have shown that the prepared tablets were able to release DT for longer time periods, making the tablets more effective, convenient and more tolerable.

Microwave-assisted sample preparation of medicines for determination of elemental impurities in compliance with United States Pharmacopeia: How simple can it be?

This work proposed a procedure for microwave-assisted sample preparation of medicines using diluted nitric acid followed by determination of elemental impurities using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) according to the United States Pharmacopeia Chapters 232 and 233. Three solutions, i.e. inverse aqua regia, 7.0 and 2.0 mol L-1 HNO3, were evaluated for microwave-assisted digestion of nine drugs samples. The applicability of each digestion procedure was assessed by comparison of analyte concentrations determined using total (reference procedure) and partial digestions (proposed procedure) as well as by determining dissolved carbon content and evaluating matrix effects. There were none significant differences at a 95% confidence level among the concentrations determined applying reference and proposed procedures. Internal standardization (ICP OES) and aerosol dilution (ICP-MS) were applied for minimization and correction of matrix effects. Addition and recovery experiments were performed according to oral permissible daily exposures values specific for each element and each sample was spiked with element concentrations of 0.5J and 1.5J in order to check accuracies for 24 analytes. Recoveries ranged from 70 to 138% for ICP OES and from 72 to 128% for ICP-MS, for all elements but Os. All analytes were below the respective limits of quantification when applying all sample preparation procedures, except As, Ba, Co, Cu, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Tl and V, however the determined concentrations for these elements were lower than the limits proposed by Chapter 232.

Eco-friendly Evaluation of Rifaximin in Tablets by Capillary Electrophoresis.

Rifaximin, an oral antimicrobial, has no standardized analytical methods in many official compendia. In this context, the aim was to develop and validate an analytical method by capillary electrophoresis for quantification of rifaximin in tablets. The choice of capillary electrophoresis was based on the concepts of green analytical chemistry, taking into account the health of the operator and environment, analytical conscience, as well as the parameters of linearity, selectivity, precision, accuracy and robustness. The method was linear between 50 and 500 µg mL-1 (r = 0.9993) using purified water and ethanol in the sample preparation, silica capillary, borate buffer 25 mM pH 9.5, 20 kV and 290 nm. It presented good precision intraday (1.30%) and interday (1.56%). The accuracy complied with average recovery of 100.24%, as well as selectivity in the presence of impurities and degradation products and robustness against variations in the concentration, pH, rinse time of the buffer, voltage, wavelength, injection time and temperature. The capillary electrophoresis method developed for the evaluation of rifaximin tablets is low cost, fast, miniaturized, clean and environmentally friendly and can be used by laboratories and chemical and pharmaceutical industries for quality control of the drug.

New and miniaturized method for analysis of enrofloxacin in palatable tablets.

Enrofloxacin is an antimicrobial for oral use, from the fluoroquinolones of second-generation class, and it is the first fluoroquinolone used in veterinary for the treatment of bacterial infections. The development of trustworthy analytical methods has extreme importance for the assurance of safety, quality and therapeutic efficiency of pharmaceuticals. Previous articles in the literature describe several analytical methods for evaluation of enrofloxacin, but they do not use spectrophotometry in the visible region, nor use a miniaturized method or ecologically correct. In this work an analytical method for quantification of enrofloxacin in palatable tablets for veterinary prescriptions was developed and validated by spectrophotometry in the visible region. This method used a spectrophotometer UV-Vis BMG LabTechSpectrostar Nano, solution of iron chloride 0.5% as complexing agent, microplates and the analyses were conducted at 430 nm. The validation was conducted following international guides and showed linearity between the concentrations of 100 and 200 µg/ mL, selectivity, precision (intraday RSD 0.52%, interday RSD 0.44% and interanalyst RSD 0.56%), accuracy of 98.51% and robustness to time of analysis variation and wavelength. Therefore, the developed method approached the required parameters of validation and can be considered suitable for quantification of enrofloxacin in palatable tablets. The method also involves characteristics in green analytical chemistry for the current pharmaceutical analysis. This work contemplates a miniaturized, clean, innovator, fast and low cost method by spectrophotometry in the visible region for quantification of enrofloxacin in palatable tablets.

Atorvastatin: A Review of Analytical Methods for Pharmaceutical Quality Control and Monitoring.

Background: Atorvastatin, a lipid-regulating drug, was the best-selling drug in the world in the early 2000s. Thus, monitoring of this drug is important because it is accessible to a large portion of the population. In addition, its quality control is fundamental to provide quality medicines. Method of analysis can be the first step in the rational use of pharmaceuticals. Objective/Methods: In this context, a critical review of analytical methods present in the literature and official compendia for the pharmaceutical quality control of atorvastatin was made. Results: Among the analytical methods most used in the evaluation of atorvastatin, HPLC is highlighted, followed by HPLC coupled to MS, and spectrophotometry in UV. Tablets are the most studied pharmaceutical samples, and plasma is the most studied biological matrix. In the literature, studies with atorvastatin-based pharmaceutical products are more common than biological materials. Acetonitrile is the organic solvent most commonly used in the methods surveyed to evaluate atorvastatin. Conclusions: Currently, awareness of the impact that the analytical choice has on the health of the operator and the environment is growing. Therefore, the suitability of existing methods for the determination of atorvastatin can be made to adhere to the current analytical chemistry. In this way, the analytical, environmental, and human consciousness will remain united. Highlights: Although the literature shows interesting methods from an economic and environmental point of view, such as UV, Vis miniaturized, and TLC, they can still be improved to meet the requirements of the current sustainable analytical chemistry.

Desenvolvimento de metodologia para avaliação do perfil de dissolução de comprimidos de atorvastatina cálcica 20 mg comercializados no Peru, Brasil e Bolívia / Development of a methodology to evaluate the dissolution profile of atorvastatin calcium tablets 20 mg marketed in Peru, Brazil and Bolivia

O presente estudo teve por finalidade desenvolver uma metodologia de dissolução discriminativa para avaliar comprimidos contendo diferentes polimorfos de atorvastatina cálcica (ATR). Este trabalho é conformado por quatro capítulos, no qual o primeiro apresenta uma breve revisão de literatura sobre as características dos polimorfos da ATR, abordando-se informações mais relevantes sobre o ATR em relação ao polimorfismo e sua influência na biodisponibilidade. No segundo capítulo, apresenta-se a importância da caracterização dos polimorfismos e suas implicações para a ATR. As amostras de ATR foram identificadas por difração raio X e análise térmica e, posteriormente, demonstrou-se as diferenças entre quatro amostras comercializadas no mercado brasileiro relacionadas ao hábito cristalino, tamanho de partícula e solubilidade. No terceiro capítulo, demonstra-se o desenvolvimento do método de dissolução discriminativo para comprimidos contendo duas formas polimórficas da ATR. Para tanto, avaliou-se a solubilidade destas pelo método do equilíbrio e determinou-se as condições experimentais mais adequadas para o ensaio de dissolução por intermédio de planejamento fatorial completo do tipo 23, sendo as variáveis independentes o meio de dissolução, a velocidade de agitação e as formas polimórficas (I e VIII). Os resultados obtidos foram tratados estatisticamente através da análise de variância, dos gráficos de Pareto e de superfície de resposta. Concluiu-se que a velocidade de agitação e o meio de dissolução impactam os resultados, afetando a dissolução das formulações com os polimorfos avaliados. Assim, as condições selecionadas foram: 750 mL de meio água a 65 rpm. Após o desenvolvimento do método, este foi comparado com o da Food and Drug Administration (FDA) para comprimidos de atorvastatina cálcica. Ao final dos ensaios, o método desenvolvido mostrou-se adequado para apontar diferenças entre os polimorfos da ATR. No quarto capítulo, o método desenvolvido foi utilizado para avaliar o perfil de dissolução de comprimidos comercializados em três países sul-americanos: Brasil, Peru e Bolívia. As porcentagens de fármaco dissolvidas e a Eficiência de Dissolução foram as variáveis estudadas e, posteriormente, tratadas estatisticamente através da análise de componentes principais, sendo possível comparar o perfil de dissolução de dessete formulações. Dessa forma, foi possível concluir que cinco formulações avaliadas (BR1, BR2 PE6, BR7 e BO3) possuíam a forma polimórfica VIII, enquanto duas formulações (BR5 e PE2) continham a forma polimórfica I. As demais, possivelmente, apresentam misturas ou outras formas polimórficas

This present study was aimed at developing a discriminative dissolution methodology to evaluate tablets containing different calcium atorvastatin (ATR) polymorphs. This paper consists of four chapters. The first chapter presents a brief literature review of the characteristics of ATR polymorphs, and addresses more relevant information about ATR in relation to polymorphism and its influence on bioavailability. The second chapter presents the importance of the characterization of polymorphs and their implications for ATR. The ATR samples were identified by X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. Subsequently, the differences among the four samples marketed in the Brazilian market with relation to crystalline habit, particle size and solubility were demonstrated. The third chapter demonstrates the development of the discriminative dissolution method for tablets containing two polymorphic forms of ATR. For this, their solubilities were evaluated by the equilibrium method and the most suitable experimental conditions for the dissolution test were determined by means of complete factorial design of type 23, and the independent variables were the dissolution medium, the stirring speed and polymorphic forms (I and VIII). The results obtained were statistically treated through analysis of variance, Pareto and response surface graphs. It was concluded that the stirring speed and the dissolution medium influenced the results, affecting the dissolution of the formulations with the evaluated polymorphs. Thus, the selected condition was 750 mL of water at 65 rpm. Following the development of the method, it was compared with that of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for atorvastatin calcium tablets. At the end of the tests, the developed method was adequate to point out differences between the ATR polymorphs. In the fourth chapter, the developed method was used to evaluate the dissolution profile of tablets marketed in three South American countries: Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. Dissolved drug percentages and Dissolution Efficiency were the studied variables and statistically treated by principal component analysis. Through this method, it was possible to compare the dissolution profile of seventeen formulations. Thus, it was possible to conclude that five formulations evaluated (BR1, BR2, PE6, PE7 e BO3) had the polymorphic form VIII, while two formulations (BR5 e PE2) contained the polymorphic form I. The others possibly have mixtures or other forms polymorphic

Sub-minute determination of rifampicin and isoniazid in fixed dose combination tablets by capillary zone electrophoresis with ultraviolet absorption detection.

A validated sub minute capillary zone electrophoresis method with direct ultraviolet absorption detection for simultaneous determination of isoniazid and rifampicin in fixed-dose combination tablets was developed. Background electrolyte was defined based on the analytes effective mobility curve and it was composed by 20 mmol/L of sodium carbonate/sodium bicarbonate at pH 10.2. A careful validation procedure considering the main figures of merit was performed. Regression models were satisfactory for isoniazid and rifampicin, showing no lack of fit within 95% significance interval. Interday and intraday precision were evaluated in standard and sample and slight relative standard deviations were achieved for concentration, area, and migration time. Recovery values for accuracy in two levels were 99.97 and 90.08% for isoniazid and 95.45 and 95.12% for rifampicin. The limits of detection for isoniazid and rifampicin were 0.22 and 0.34 mg/L, respectively, and the limits of quantification were 0.74 and 1.13 mg/L, respectively. Method selectivity was verified by injecting diluent, background electrolyte, a standard mixture, and a sample, confirming no interferent peaks. The method proved to be simple, environmentally friendly, sensitive, and was successfully applied for simultaneous quantification of isoniazid and rifampicin in fixed-dose combination tablets.

Dissolution and uniformity of content of tablets developed with extract of Ximenia americana L.

Herbal medicines currently represent an important part of the world pharmaceutical market, which shows growing interest in the use of herbal medicines. However, the production of such medicines involves a complex series of steps, which determine the production viability and the quality of the final product. Ximenia americana L. is a plant occurring in several regions of the world, with well-known and applied medicinal properties. Thus, the aim of this work was to develop and evaluate the physical and physical-chemical quality of tablets produced with X. americana L. extract. The extract was spray-dried from a hydroethanolic extractive solution and characterized as to its phytochemical composition. The chemical marker was determined and quantified using validated chromatographic methods. These methods indicated the presence of gallic acid at a concentration of 1.61 mg g(-1). Formulations were proposed and analyzed for their flow and compaction properties. The best formulation was used to obtain a batch of tablets, which was evaluated for its quality characteristics and showed to be within the pharmacopoeial specifications for average weight, hardness, friability, and disintegration time. The dissolution profile of the tablets produced was obtained, showing the release of about 70% of the vegetable extract content within 30 minutes. Results showed that it was possible to obtain herbal tablets containing a high content of vegetal extract by direct compression, developing a rapid process of formulation and production and guaranteeing the quality characteristics of the final product.

Development of self-nanoemulsifying tablet (SNET) for bioavailability enhancement of sertraline

The purpose of the study was to combine the advantages of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems and tablets as a conventional dosage form. Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) was prepared to enhance the solubility and thus oral bioavailability of sertraline. Aqueous titration method was used to prepare the liquid SNEDDS; ternary phase diagrams were constructed and based on smaller droplet size (24.8 nm), minimum viscosity (153.63 cP) and polydispersity index (0.182), higher percentage transmittance (95%) and in vitro drug release (97%), an optimum system was designated. Liquid SNEDDS was transformed into free-flowing powder by solid adsorption technique followed by compression into tablets. In vitro release of sertraline from liquid and solid SNEDDS was found to be highly significant compared to plain sertraline (p<0.01). Pharmacokinetic studies after oral administration of liquid and solid SNEDDS in rats showed about 6-and 5-fold increased absorption of sertraline compared to the aqueous suspension of sertraline. These studies demonstrate that the solid SNEDDS are promising strategies for successful delivery of poorly water-soluble drug like sertraline

Preparation and in vitro & in vivo evaluation of cephalexin matrix tablets

The purpose of the study is to develop cephalexin controlled-release matrix tablets by using lower proportions of release retardant polymer and to establish their in vitro & in vivo correlation. Tablets were compressed by incorporating polymers in a matrix form along with drug which prolong the drug release. Twelve formulations were prepared by mixing ethyl cellulose (EC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) (three different viscosity grades) in various proportions. F-1 to F-4 formulations were prepared by incorporating drug, HPMC K4M and ethyl cellulose in 100 : 5 : 5, 100 : 10 : 5, 100 : 15 : 5 and 100 : 20 : 5; similarly, F-5 to F-8 were prepared with HPMC K15M; and F-9 to F-12 were prepared with HPMC K100M using a wet granulation process maintained same proportions, along with drug and EC. Tablets were evaluated for their pre-compression and post-compression characteristics and they were found to be in limits. From the dissolution testing, F-4 showed 100.34% medicament release in 12 h. In vivo studies were conducted on rabbit and pharmacokinetic parameters of the optimized formulation were evaluated using HPLC method. It was found that matrix tablets showed increased t1/2 and decreased Kel. The design signified that the drug release rate from tablets was influenced by the small proportion (around 7% of a tablet weight) of polymer mixture and it controlled 100% medicament release upto 12 h effectively with the low grade viscosity of HPMC combination, with good in vitro & in vivo correlation.

Processo de fabricação de comprimidos de lamivudina e zidovudina (150+300mg): avaliação retrospectiva da variabilidade e desenvolvimento de metodologia analítica por espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo com transformada de Fourier (FT-NIR) aplicada a avaliação da homogeneidade da mistura de pós / Lamivudine and zidovudine tablet manufacturing process (150 + 300mg): retrospective evaluation of the variability and development of analytical methodology by Fourier transform (FT-NIR) near infrared spectroscopy applied to the evaluation of homogeneity of the powder mixture

O uso de ferramentas estatísticas no ciclo de vida de um produto farmacêutico permite verificar e controlar o processo tendo como objetivo a sua melhoria contínua. No presente estudo foi avaliada a estabilidade e a capacidade estatística do processo de fabricação dos comprimidos revestidos de lamivudina 3TC e zidovudina AZT (150 + 300 mg) fabricados pela Fundação para o Remédio Popular "Chopin Tavares de Lima" (FURP). Esse medicamento, distribuido gratuitamente pelo programa DST/AIDS do Ministério da Saúde, e fabricado por compressão direta, processo rápido que permite a implementação futura da tecnologia analítica de processo (Process Analytical Technology - PAT). No Capítulo I foi realizada avaliação retrospectiva da variabilidade de atributos criticos da qualidade de 529 lotes dos comprimidos fabricados de acordo com a RDC ANVISA 17/2010 e as monografias oficiais, sendo tais atributos: peso médio, uniformidade de dose unitária e % m/v de fármaco dissolvido, antes e após o revestimento. O objetivo foi identificar eventuais causas especiais de variabilidade dos processos que permitam melhorias contínuas. No Capitulo II foi desenvolvida metodologia analítica empregando a espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo com transformada de Fourier para a avaliação da homogeneidade da mistura dos pós. Nesse estudo foram analisadas amostras de misturas dos fármacos lamivudina 3TC e zidovudina AZT e mistura excipiente, empregando como método de referência a CLAE, para a quantificação desses dois fármacos. No Capitulo I, a avaliação do processo para o peso médio revelou a necessidade de investigação das causa especiais de variabilidade, evidenciada por meio das cartas de controle. Os resultados do ano de 2015 indicaram necessidade de centralização e de consistência do processo, com redução de probabilidade de falha. As cartas de controle para uniformidade de dose unitária, no ano de 2013, revelaram menor variabilidade do processo. Porem, nesse ano, a análise estatística para a dissolução revelou processo descentralizado e sem consistência, com maior evidência para o fármaco 3TC que demonstrou menor desempenho, Cpk<1,0. A avaliação da estabilidade e da capacidade do processo de fabricação de comprimidos de lamivudina + zidovudina (150+300 mg), no período de 2012 a 2015, permitiu o maior entendimento de suas fontes de variação. Foi possível detectar e determinar o grau dessa variação e seu impacto no processo e nos atributos críticos de qualidade do produto com evidentes oportunidades de melhoria do processo, reduzindo os riscos para o paciente. No capítulo II, no desenvolvimento do método, as estatísticas de validação revelaram que os menores valores de BIAS foram observados para a 3TC, 0,000116 e 0,0021, respectivamente para validação cruzada e validação. Os valores de BIAS próximos a zero indicaram reduzida porcentagem de variabilidade do método. O presente estudo demonstrou a viabilidade do uso do modelo desenvolvido para a quantificação da 3TC e AZT por FT-NIR apos ajustes que contribuam para a elevação de R, R2 e RPD para valores aceitáveis. Valores de RPD acima de 5,0 que permitem o uso do modelo para uso em controle de qualidade

The use of statistical tools in the life cycle of a pharmaceutical product allows verifying and controlling the process aiming at its continuous improvement. In the present study, the stability and statistical capacity of the lamivudine coated tablets 3TC and zidovudine AZT (150 + 300 mg) manufactured by the Chopin Tavares de Lima Foundation (FURP) were evaluated. This drug, distributed free of charge by the Ministry of Health's DST/AIDS program, is manufactured by direct compression, a rapid process that allows the future implementation of Process Analytical Technology (PAT). In Chapter I, a retrospective evaluation of the variability of critical quality attributes of 529 batches of tablets manufactured was carried out, such attributes being: mean weight, unit dose uniformity and % m/v of dissolved drug substances, before and after coating. The objective was to identify possible special causes of variability of the processes that allow continuous improvements. In Chapter II an analytical methodology was developed employing the near infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform for the evaluation of the homogeneity of the powder mixture. In this study, samples of mixtures of the drugs lamivudine 3TC and zidovudine AZT and excipient mixture were analyzed, using as reference method the HPLC, for the quantification of these two drugs. In Chapter I, the evaluation of the process for the mean weight revealed the need to investigate the special cause of variability, as evidenced by the charts. The results of the year 2015 indicated the need for centralization and process consistency, with a reduction in the probability of failure. The control charts for unit dose uniformity, in the year 2013, revealed less process variability. However, in that year, the statistical analysis for dissolution revealed a decentralized process with no consistency, with greater evidence for the 3TC drug that showed lower performance, Cpk<1.0. The evaluation of the stability and capacity of the lamivudine + zidovudine tablet manufacturing process (150 + 300 mg) in the period from 2012 to 2015 allowed a better understanding of its sources of variation. It was possible to detect and determine the degree of this variation and its impact on the process and the critical quality attributes of the product with evident opportunities to improve the process, reducing risks for the patient. In Chapter II, in the development of the method, the validation revealed that the lowest values of BIAS were observed for 3TC, 0.000116 and 0.0021, respectively for cross validation and validation. BIAS values close to zero indicated a reduced percentage of variability of the method. The present study demonstrated the feasibility of using the model developed for the quantification of 3TC and AZT by FT-NIR after adjustments that contribute to the elevation of R, R2 and RPD to acceptable values. RPD values above 5.0 that allow the use of the model for use in quality control

Análise comparativa de perfis de dissolução in vitro e in silico de comprimidos de liberação modificada contendo metformina / Comparative analysis of dissolution profiles in vitro and in silico of modified release tablets containing metformin

A dissolução de um fármaco a partir de uma forma farmacêutica (FF) sólida oral é um pré-requisito para que o mesmo seja absorvido pelo organismo e cumpra seus efeitos terapêuticos. O ensaio de dissolução de medicamentos permite avaliar a quantidade de princípio ativo que é liberado a partir de sua FF, mimetizando in vitro o processo que ocorre no trato gastrointestinal (TGI). O DDDPlus® é o único programa de computador dedicado exclusivamente a simular ensaios de dissolução. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade do programa de computador DDDPlus® em fornecer perfis de dissolução in silico de comprimidos matriciais contendo metformina semelhantes aos perfis de dissolução in vitro e avaliar a possibilidade de substituir a comparação de perfis de dissolução in vitro de diferentes formulações de comprimidos matriciais contendo metformina pela comparação de perfis de dissolução in silico fornecidos pelo DDDPlus®.Para tanto, um planejamento estatístico foi realizado para obtenção de perfis de dissolução, variando a velocidade das pás e o uso do sinker. Os perfis de dissolução de 3 formulações teste (T1, T2 e T3) de comprimidos de liberação modificada por matriz polimérica contendo metformina foram comparadas pelos métodos de eficiência de dissolução (ED), tempo médio de dissolução (TMD), fator de diferença (f2) e fator de semelhança (f1). Os resultados indicaram o uso do sinker como fator determinante para a ED e TMD. Assim, o método que utilizava o sinker e a velocidade das pás de 50RPM foi utilizado para avaliar 4 produtos comercializados no Brasil. No DDDPlus® os ensaios de dissolução in vitro das formulações T1, T2 e T3 foram otimizadas para a obtenção das constantes de calibração (CC), as CC foram utilizadas para simular os ensaios de dissolução de T1, T2 e T3 em velocidades de 25 e 50RPM. Os perfis de dissolução simulados foram comparados aos perfis observados, resultando em valores de R2. Valores de R2 acima de 0,90 foram obtidos para todas as simulações realizadas utilizando CC de ensaios in vitro que utilizaram sinker, indicando o potencial do programa em auxiliar o desenvolvimento de novas formulações. Valores de R2 abaixo de 0,70 foram obtidos após a simulação de ensaios utilizando CC de ensaios in vitro que não utilizavam o sinker, indicando que o programa de computador não previu a adesão do comprimido ao fundo da cuba de dissolução durante o ensaio. Os perfis de dissolução simulados das formulações T1, T2 e T3 foram comparadas por f1 e f2 com os perfis de dissolução dos produtos do mercado. Tais comparações concluíram que o software não é indicado como substituto dos ensaios in vitro quando se almeja comparar perfis de dissolução

Dissolution of a drug from an oral solid pharmaceutical form (FF) is a prerequisite for it to be absorbed by the body and to fulfill its therapeutic effects. in vitroDrug dissolution assay allows the amount of active principle released from a FF and mimics the in vivo the process that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract (TGI). DDDPlus® is the only computer program dedicated exclusively to simulating dissolution testing. The objective of this work was to evaluate the ability of DDDPlus® software to provide in silico dissolution profiles of matrix tablets containing metformin similar to in vitro dissolution profiles and to evaluate the possibility of replacing in vitro dissolution profiles comparison of different formulations of matrix tablets containing metformin for a comparison of in silico dissolution profiles provided by DDDPlus®. For this purpose, a statistical design was used, varying agitation speed and the use of sinker to obtain dissolution profiles for 3 test formulations (T1, T2 and T3) of polymer matrix-modified release tablets containing metformin. Dissolution profiles were compared by means of dissolution efficiency (ED), mean dissolution time (TMD), difference factor (f2) and similarity factor (f1). The results indicated the use of sinker as a determinant factor for ED and TMD. Thus, the method that used sinker and agitation speed of 50RPM was used to evaluate 4 products commercialized in Brazil. in vitro dissolution tests of the T1, T2 and T3 formulations were optimized using In DDDPlus® to obtain the calibration constants (CC), which were used to simulate dissolution profiles of T1, T2 and T3 at speeds of 25 and 50RPM. in silico dissolution profiles were compared to in vitro dissolution profiles, resulting in R2 values. R2 values above 0.90 were obtained for all simulations performed using CC from in vitro assays using sinker, indicating the potential of the program to assist the development of new formulations. R2 values below 0.70 were obtained after the simulation of assays using CC from in vitro assays that did not use the sinker, indicating that the computer program did not predict adhesion of the tablet to the bottom of the dissolution cell during the assay. The simulated dissolution profiles of the T1, T2 and T3 formulations were compared by f1 and f2 with the dissolution profiles of the market products. Such comparisons concluded that the software is not indicated as a substitute for in vitro assays when comparing dissolution profiles is desired

Measurement uncertainty of dissolution test of acetaminophen immediate release tablets using Monte Carlo simulations

ABSTRACT Analytical results are widely used to assess batch-by-batch conformity, pharmaceutical equivalence, as well as in the development of drug products. Despite this, few papers describing the measurement uncertainty estimation associated with these results were found in the literature. Here, we described a simple procedure used for estimating measurement uncertainty associated with the dissolution test of acetaminophen tablets. A fractionate factorial design was used to define a mathematical model that explains the amount of acetaminophen dissolved (%) as a function of time of dissolution (from 20 to 40 minutes), volume of dissolution media (from 800 to 1000 mL), pH of dissolution media (from 2.0 to 6.8), and rotation speed (from 40 to 60 rpm). Using Monte Carlo simulations, we estimated measurement uncertainty for dissolution test of acetaminophen tablets (95.2 ± 1.0%), with a 95% confidence level. Rotation speed was the most important source of uncertainty, contributing about 96.2% of overall uncertainty. Finally, it is important to note that the uncertainty calculated in this paper reflects the expected uncertainty to the dissolution test, and does not consider variations in the content of acetaminophen.

Effects of granule particle size and lubricant concentration on tablet hardness containing large concentration of polymers

ABSTRACT The objective of this research work is to demonstrate the impact of granule size and lubricant concentration on the hardness of tablets in formulations containing higher concentration of polymers and to resolve the hardness issue during compression process. The work involves optimization of a milling process for size reduction of granules and blending process to achieve tablets of good hardness on compression. To optimize the granule size, different sized co-mill screens were used. The different concentration of lubricant were studied on different sized granules to check the effect on hardness of tablets and to obtained the desired hardness of tablets. Compression of lubricated blend in various concentration was performed using the gravity feeder and force feeder separately to check the impact on the over lubrication effect. This ultimately leads to less hardness tablets. Lubricated blends were evaluated by performing the Bulk Density, Tapped Density, Hausner ratio and compressibility index tests. Tablets were evaluated for the physical characteristics like weight variation, hardness, thickness and dissolution. It has been conclude that on using the optimum granules size and lubricant concentration in formulation, all the downstream problems can be resolved and this in turn helps in compression of tablets and also provides the good hardness to the tablets.