Vancomycin release from poly(D,L-lactide) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) disks.

A biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric system was developed for the controlled release of vancomycin for the treatment of brain abscesses. Poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) and its copolymers poly(lactide-co-glycolide) PLGA 90:10 and PLGA 70:30, were prepared. Polymer disks containing vancomycin (VN) were prepared by solvent casting from methylene chloride solutions. Degradation of the polymer disk was studied by scanning electron microscopy, NMR and GPC. SEM revealed an increasing degree of degradation with time with both PLGAs, the effect being more distinct in the PLGA with the higher glycolide content (PLGA 70:30), which was confirmed with GPC, which showed both a decrease in the molecular weights of PLGA and a decrease in the heterogeneity index (chain length distribution) upon incubation in isotonic phosphate buffer at 37 degrees C for up to 5 weeks. NMR showed a decrease in the CH2 contents of the copolymers, implying that the glycolide component of the copolymers is being preferentially degraded. In situ, vancomycin release behaviour of the disks in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was followed for approximately 2 months in a static system. It was observed that release was according to Higuchi kinetics (Q vs. t(1/2)), and introduction of low molecular weight PLA or hydrophilic compounds like PEG increased the release rate.

Controlled release of vancomycin from biodegradable microcapsules.

Poly D,L-lactic acid (PLA) and its copolymers with glycolide PLGA 90:10 and 70:30 were polymerized under various conditions to yield polymers in the molecular weight range 12000-40000 daltons, as determined by gel permeation chromatography. Vancomycin hydrochloride was the hydrophilic drug of choice for the treatment of methicillin resistant Staphyloccoccal infections. It was microencapsulated in the synthesized polymers using water-oil-water (w/o/w) double emulsion and solvent evaporation. The influence of microcapsule preparation medium on product properties was investigated. An increase in polymer-to-drug ratio from 1:1 to 3:1 caused an increase in the encapsulation efficiency (i.e. from 44-97% with PLGA). An increase in the emulsifier (PVA) molecular weight from 14-72 kD caused an increase in encapsulation efficiency and microcapsule size. The in vitro release of vancomycin from microcapsules in phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4) was found to be dependent on molecular weight and copolymer type. The kinetic behaviour was controlled by both diffusion and degradation. Sterilization with 60Co (2.5 Mrad) also affected the degradation rate and release profiles. Degradation of microcapsules could be seen by scanning electron microscopy, by the increase in the release rate from PLA and by the decrease in the Tg values of microcapsules. In vitro bactericidal effects of the microcapsule formulations on S. aureus were determined with a special diffusion cell after the preparations had been sterilized, and were found to have bactericidal effects lasting for 4 days.

Dissolution properties of different designed and formulated salbutamol tablet dosage forms.

Pharmaceutical availability or in vitro availability is one of the aspects of drug bioavailability. Dissolution can be described best as a tool that can provide valuable information about the availability of a drug product. Dissolution test was performed on three different designed and formulated of salbutamol tablet formulations marketed in Turkey. The test methods were the paddle method and the rotating basket method described in United States Pharmacopeia. All studied formulations showed a good agreement with pharmacopeial requirements. In particular all studied commercial tablet formulations showed a quite fast release of the antiasthmatic drug. Other type of table formulations showed slow release. In order to evaluate the dissolution rates five different kinetics have been examined and the best fitting kinetics was found to be RRSBW kinetic.

Comparative dissolution testing of paracetamol commercial tablet dosage forms.

Dissolution can best be described as a tool that can provide valuable information about the availability of a drug product. In this study, nine different paracetamol tablet dosage forms available on the Turkish Drug Market have been investigated and physical controls were realized. Paddle and rotating basket apparatus methods were applied to all the formulations. In order to evaluate the dissolution rates, five different kinetics have been studied and the best fitting kinetics was found to be the Hixson-Crowell kinetics. It was found that all the preparations are in accordance with the Pharmacopeia standards.

Effects of membrane composition on release of model hydrophilic compound from osmotic delivery systems.

In this study, the effects of surface-active agents in different types and concentrations, added into the coating solution, on release of model hydrophilic compound have been examined. For this purpose, the tablets, prepared with the use of methylene blue as a model substance, were coated by spray coating technique with cellulose acetate solution containing polyethylene glycol 400 as a plasticizer. In addition, cetylpyridinium chloride as cationic surface-active agent and sodium lauryl sulphate as anionic surface-active agent were added into coating solution in different concentrations. After creating a delivery orifice by a microdrill on the tablets, release of model hydrophilic compound was tested by the USP paddle method. The data obtained were evaluated according to the different kinetics and the mechanism of release from the preparations was examined. The surface properties of the coating material were investigated by scanning electron microscope taken before and after the contact with medium fluid, as well as the mechanical properties by tensile tests. In conclusion, it has been found that the cationic surface active agent, cetylpyridinium chloride reduced the lag time, observed during the release of model hydrophilic compound, as a result of its enhancing effect on wettability of tablets by reducing the contact angle between the medium fluid and the coating material. On the other hand, the anionic surface active agent, sodium lauryl sulphate has been inactivated possibly due to the interaction with model hydrophilic compound that has cationic properties and/or substances contained in membrane composition; thus, the lag time has not decreased and furthermore, a significant decrease in the delivery rate of model hydrophilic compound has been observed.

Evaluation and preparation of controlled release lipid micropheres of sulphamethizole by a congealable disperse phase encapsulation method.

A congealable disperse phase encapsulation method was used to prepare controlled release lipid microspheres of sulphamethizole as a model drug. Hydrogenated cotton seed oil (HCSO) and stearic acid were employed as the lipid matrix materials. Tween 60 was the droplet stabilizer used to form microspheres. In in vitro dissolution tests, the drug release was found to be affected by the type of lipid material depending on hydrophilicity. Generally, an initial rapid release followed by a slower release of the drug from the lipid microspheres was observed. Lipid microspheres were also compressed in the tablet form to prevent the initial rapid release of the drug. But the drug release drastically decreased. To achieve a controlled release of the drug. Eudragit L as a channeling agent was added internally to HCSO-microspheres. Although the drug release increased, the controlled release pattern was not achieved. The external addition of polyethyleneglycole 4000 to HCSO-microspheres before compressing tablets, did not produce an affirmative change in the release profile. The lipid microspheres prepared by stearic acid released all of the drug within 1 h. Upon compression, the drug release was very low. Therefore, stearic acid-microspheres were compressed in the tablet form adding disintegrating agents, sodium alginate and Ac-Di-Sol (cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose). A pH-dependent drug release was obtained from the tablets containing sodium alginate. With the tablets of stearic acid-microspheres containing Ac-Di-Sol, the controlled release could be achieved due to gradual disintegration from the tablet to aggregates, and to individual microspheres. Furthermore, in vivo study on 6 healthy volunteers confirmed the controlled release pattern of this dosage form.