New orodispersible mini-tablets for paediatric use - A comparison of isomalt with a mannitol based co-processed excipient.

The development of orodispersible mini-tablets (ODMTs) for paediatric use has gained importance within recent years as European authorities set up regulations for developing suitable and palatable dosage forms for paediatric patients. Polyols like mannitol and isomalt are frequently used in the manufacture of tablets where sensory properties have to be taken into account. In literature, ODTMs based on a commercialized co-processed excipient based on mannitol (Ludiflash®) have been already described. Isomalt is known for its pleasant sensory properties and therefore appears to be a good candidate for ODMTs. The feasibility of the direct compression grade of isomalt for the manufacture of ODMTs was assessed and compared to Ludiflash®. Hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril maleate were chosen as model drugs and compressed to 2 mm mini-tablets. ODMTs could be obtained fulfilling the criteria of Ph.Eur. with disintegration times of 180 s or even the FDA limit of 30 s. Dissolution studies and mass variation were fulfilled for all mini-tablets. Acceptance values (AV) ≤ 15 were achieved for formulations based on both isomalt and Ludiflash®. Stability data showed the change of disintegration time and tensile strength as a function of storing time, condition and excipient. Both excipients showed their potential for ODMTs for paediatric use.

Comparative dissolution study of drug and inert isomalt based core material from layered pellets.

Layered and coated pellets were formulated to control the release of the diclofenac sodium selected as model drug. A highly water soluble isomalt inert pellet core material was used to osmotically modulate the drug release through the swellable polyvinyl acetate coating layer. Image analysis was applied to determine the shape parameters and the swelling behavior of the pellets. UV-spectroscopy and liquid chromatography with refractive index detection were applied to measure the concentration of the model drug and the core materials. Simultaneous dissolution of both the diclofenac sodium and isomalt was observed. Relationship was found between the dissolution profile of the drug and the core material which linear correlation was independent on the coating level. The latter enables the modulation of drug release beside the permeability control of the swelled coating polymer.

Supramolecular elucidation of the quality attributes of microcrystalline cellulose and isomalt composite pellet cores.

The major objective of this study was to disclose the relationships between the physical quality attributes and supramolecular structure of novel composite pellet cores containing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and isomalt in different ratios. The novel composite pellet cores were manufactured by an extrusion/spheronisation process. The micro or supramolecular structure of pellets was tracked by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) based on the o-Ps lifetime values. The results indicate a correlation between the examined macro and microstructural properties of the inert cores. The higher free volume holes indicated by the higher o-Ps lifetime values resulted in a more mobile micro- and supramolecular structure of MCC cores thus increasing the plastic deformation and the tensile strength of the cores. A physical interaction was found between the microcrystalline cellulose and isomalt which supports the osmotic effect of the water soluble sugar alcohol in the composite pellet cores regarding drug release.

Dissolution profile of novel composite pellet cores based on different ratios of microcrystalline cellulose and isomalt.

There is a growing interest towards the application of inert cores as starting materials for pharmaceutical pellet manufacturing. They serve as alternatives to develop and adapt a relatively simple manufacturing technology compared with an extrusion/spheronisation process. The major objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the compositions of core materials on the drug release profile. Pure microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), isomalt and different types of novel composite MCC-isomalt cores were layered with model drug (sodium diclofenac) and were coated with acrylic polymer. The effect of the osmolality in the gastrointestinal tract was simulated using glucose as osmotically active agent during in vitro dissolution tests. The results demonstrated the dependence of drug dissolution profile on the ratio of MCC and isomalt in the core and the influence of osmotic properties of the dissolution medium. Isomalt used in the composite core was able to decrease the vulnerability of the dissolution kinetics to the changes in the osmotic environment.

Evaluation of drug release from coated pellets based on isomalt, sugar, and microcrystalline cellulose inert cores.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the pellet core materials isomalt, sugar, and microcrystalline cellulose on the in vitro drug release kinetics of coated sustained-release pellets as well as to evaluate the influence of different ratios of polymethacrylate copolymers exhibiting different permeability characteristics on the drug release rate. For characterization of the drug release process of pellets, the effect of osmolality was studied using glucose as an osmotically active agent in the dissolution medium. The pellet cores were layered with diclofenac sodium as model drug and coated with different ratios of Eudragit RS30D and Eudragit RL30D (ERS and ERL; 0:1 and 0.5:0.5 and 1:0 ratio) in a fluid bed apparatus. Physical characteristics such as mechanical strength, shape, and size proved that the inert cores were adequate for further processing. The in vitro dissolution tests were performed using a USP Apparatus I (basket method). The results demonstrated that, besides the ratio of the coating polymers (ERS/ERL), the release mechanism was also influenced by the type of starter core used. Sugar- and isomalt-type pellet cores demonstrated similar drug release profiles.