To Flavor or Not to Flavor Extemporaneous Omeprazole Liquid.

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat the symptoms of gastro esophageal reflux disease, ulcers, excess stomach acid, infection with Helicobacter pylori, and to control the gastric side effects of various drugs. The approved dosage forms in the U.S. are powder in compounding kits, delayed-release granules for oral suspension, oral delayed-release tablets, and oral delayed-release capsules. An extemporaneously compounded unsweetened oral liquid method, published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding, was found to be commonly used by pharmacists. This project investigated the robustness of the compendium omeprazole high-performance liquid chromatographic assay in evaluating an oral liquid made from commercial delayed-release pellets, the potency of extemporaneously compounded solutions having a 1.125% v/v flavored versus unflavored samples stored at controlled cold temperatures at different time points, and examining the absorption spectrum of the flavoring agent. As part of the study, stability-indication testing was also conducted. The studies indicate that the chromatographic area under the plasma concentration-time curve of both study groups remained over 90% of the label claim during the follow-up period. The flavor did not significantly impact the pH of the oral liquid. This study further identified (1) an increase in resilient foam formation in the flavored liquid, potentially hindering dosing accuracy, (2) omeprazole is oxidized easily by 3% hydrogen peroxide, and (3) flavoring agent absorbs in an ultraviolet visible spectroscopy spectral range often used in assay detectors for quantification of drug molecules, and could interfere with assay protocols of the same.

Characterization and comparison of lidocaine-tetracaine and lidocaine-camphor eutectic mixtures based on their crystallization and hydrogen-bonding abilities.

Eutectic mixtures formed between active pharmaceutical ingredients and/or excipients provide vast scope for pharmaceutical applications. This study aimed at the exploration of the crystallization abilities of two eutectic mixtures (EM) i.e., lidocaine-tetracaine and lidocaine-camphor (1:1 w/w). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for degradation behavior whereas modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC) set in first heating, cooling, and second heating cycles, was used to qualitatively analyze the complex exothermic and endothermic thermal transitions. Raman microspectroscopy characterized vibrational information specific to chemical bonds. Prepared EMs were left at room temperature for 24 h to visually examine their crystallization potentials. The degradation of lidocaine, tetracaine, camphor, lidocaine-tetracaine EM, and lidocaine-camphor EM began at 196.56, 163.82, 76.86, 146.01, and 42.72°C, respectively, which indicated that eutectic mixtures are less thermostable compared to their individual components. The MTDSC showed crystallization peaks for lidocaine, tetracaine, and camphor at 31.86, 29.36, and 174.02°C, respectively (n = 3). When studying the eutectic mixture, no crystallization peak was observed in the lidocaine-tetracaine EM, but a lidocaine-camphor EM crystallization peak was present at 18.81°C. Crystallization occurred in lidocaine-camphor EM after being kept at room temperature for 24 h, but not in lidocaine-tetracaine EM. Certain peak shifts were observed in Raman spectra which indicated possible interactions of eutectic mixture components, when a eutectic mixture was formed. We found that if the components forming a eutectic mixture have crystallization peaks close to each other and have sufficient hydrogen-bonding capability, then their eutectic mixture is least likely to crystallize out (as seen in lidocaine-tetracaine EM) or vice versa (lidocaine-camphor EM).

Stability of vitamin B complex in multivitamin and multimineral supplement tablets after space flight.

The effect of storage in space on the stability of vitamin B complex in two commercial vitamin tablets was examined. Multiple vitamin samples returned after storage on the space shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) along with two ground control and three positive control groups were included in the study. Content of vitamin B(3) in the tablets and in vitro dissolution rate were determined using a modified high performance liquid chromatographic assay from USP/NF 2010. Results indicate that vitamin B(3) in one of the brands tested (#2) may be subject to marginal degradation after storage on ISS for 4 months as indicated by the chromatograms for all six tablets showing a split peak appearing as a notch at the peak tip. Chromatograms were not different for ground and flight samples for Brand #1 suggesting that this may be more suitable for use in space.

Formulation of controlled-release capsules of biopharmaceutical classification system I drugs using niacin as a model.

Vitamin B(3) is made up of niacin (nicotinic acid) and its amide, niacinamide. Both have equivalent vitamin activity, but only niacin (not niacinamide) is effective in lowering elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Administration of an extended-release (ER) oral tablet would frequently encounter food. If hydrogel is used to formulate the matrix of a biopharmaceutical classification system I drug (high solubility and high permeability), the dosage form absorbs water and swells.. The softened outer layer may be slashed off by food present in the stomach, thus, exposing the core tablet more readily for water absorption and speeding up drug release from its original designed rate. This project aimed to formulate niacin CR pellets made of hydrophobic inert matrix. After niacin was melted with excipients and cooled, the mass was extruded and spheronized into pellets. Size distribution and flowability were determined before pellets were filled into hard gelatin capsule. The USP dissolution study revealed that a candidate formulation of 250 mg in strength released similar amount of niacin as its commercial reference, niacin controlled-release 500 mg tablet, in 6 h (223.9 ± 23.8 mg, n = 4 versus 259.4 ± 2.6 mg, n = 3). The differential scanning calorimetry study of the pellets in capsules stored in 40°C for 4 weeks, and the content assay of capsules in 40°C up to 6 months suggested that niacin was stable within the innovative formulation. In vitro release from this innovative ER capsules stored at 40°C up to 4 weeks were also investigated.

Sustained delivery of intact drug to the colon: mesalamine formulation and temporal gastrointestinal transit analysis.

The goal was to use temporal gastrointestinal transit simulations and formulation to predict and provide sustained input of target-site directed oral drug delivery exclusively into the colon. Using mesalamine as the model drug for formulation coupled with stomach emptying rates (fed and unfed) plus intestinal transit times demonstrates concepts and provides a specific example for treatment in ulcerative colitis. Formulation involved extrusion and spheronization into beads which were then coated with aqueous Eudragit S. Drug is released only at colonic pH and gastrointestinal transit predicts sustained drug input into the colon, especially when food effects are included.