Development, Quality by Design-Based Optimization, and Stability Assessment of Oral Liquid Formulations Containing Baclofen for Hospital Use.

The absence of oral liquid pharmaceutical forms appropriate for use in pediatric and adult patients with difficulty swallowing is a public health problem, especially in the hospital context. Baclofen is a muscle relaxant of choice for treating spasticity, generally marketed only in tablet form, highlighting the need for liquid formulations to facilitate dose adjustment, administration, and swallowing. The present study aimed to develop oral liquid formulations containing baclofen, optimize them through the quality by design approach, and evaluate their physicochemical and microbiological stability. Preformulation and preliminary stability studies were carried out for the development of formulations. Experimental screening and optimization designs resulted in eleven experiments for each step that were evaluated for 28 days. A stability-indicating method by high-performance liquid chromatography presented linearity, low limits of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy, and robustness. The experimental design led to two optimized formulations containing baclofen, glycerin, potassium sorbate, citric acid, ultrapure water, flavor, and sucrose syrup or sodium carboxymethylcellulose solution as a vehicle, the last one with sucralose as a sweetener. The formulations were placed in amber glass flasks and subjected to a physicochemical and microbiological stability study. Both formulations showed physicochemical and microbiological stability when stored at room temperature and refrigerated for 84 days. The results of this study may serve as a reference in the preparation of liquid oral formulations containing baclofen in the hospital routine and collaborate with the safety and adherence to the treatment of adult and pediatric patients.

The application of quality by design in the development of the liquid chromatography method to determine empagliflozin in the presence of its organic impurities.

Analysis of impurities is an important step in the quality control of pharmaceutical ingredients and final products. From drug synthesis or excipients, even in small concentrations, impurities may affect efficacy and safety. The method was developed following Quality by Design (QbD) for the analysis of the antidiabetic empagliflozin. The concept of QbD is used as a tool for the development of methods and formulations. Through predefined objectives and risk analysis, robust methodologies and reduced solvent consumption are developed. A simple HPLC method was developed and validated for the quantitative determination of empagliflozin and its organic impurities from the synthesis process. The method was carried out in a Shim-pack phenyl column with a mobile phase consisting of an acetonitrile/water mixture (72 : 28), with isocratic elution and the detector wavelength was 230 nm. The validation process, in accordance with international guidelines, shows that the method was linear, precise and accurate for empagliflozin, impurity 1 and impurity 2. Limits of detection (0.01, 0.02 and 0.01 µg mL-1) and quantification (0.10, 0.10 and 0.05 µg mL-1) were determined for EMPA, IMP1 and IMP2, respectively. The HPLC method for impurity determination in empagliflozin was linear, precise, accurate and robust. It can be successfully applied in the quality control of empagliflozin and the synthesis of impurities, being adequate for routine analysis.

In vitro toxic evaluation of two gliptins and their main impurities of synthesis.

BACKGROUND: The presence of impurities in some drugs may compromise the safety and efficacy of the patient's treatment. Therefore, establishing of the biological safety of the impurities is essential. Diabetic patients are predisposed to tissue damage due to an increased oxidative stress process; and drug impurities may contribute to these toxic effects. In this context, the aim of this work was to study the toxicity, in 3 T3 cells, of the antidiabetic agents sitagliptin, vildagliptin, and their two main impurities of synthesis (S1 and S2; V1 and V2, respectively). METHODS: MTT reduction and neutral red uptake assays were performed in cytotoxicity tests. In addition, DNA damage (measured by comet assay), intracellular free radicals (by DCF), NO production, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔψM) were evaluated. RESULTS: Cytotoxicity was observed for impurity V2. Free radicals generation was found at 1000 µM of sitagliptin and 10 µM of both vildagliptin impurities (V1 and V2). A decrease in NO production was observed for all vildagliptin concentrations. No alterations were observed in ΔψM or DNA damage at the tested concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the presence of impurities might increase the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress of the pharmaceutical formulations at the concentrations studied.

HPLC method for simultaneous analysis of ticagrelor and its organic impurities and identification of two major photodegradation products.

A simple, fast and sensitive analytical method by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of ticagrelor and two synthesis impurities. The HPLC method was established using an Agilent 1200 Series equipment coupled to photodiode array detector (PDA) at 270nm with a Zorbax Plus C8 column (150×4.6mm, 5.0µm), injection volume of 20µL, and a constant temperature of 25°C. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile: ammonium acetate 50mM (57:43, v/v) and pH adjusted to 8.2 with ammonium hydroxide 6M, at a flow rate of 0.7mL/min. No interference peaks from excipients and diluent system indicated the specificity of the method. The calibration curves showed determination coefficients (r2)>0.99, calculated by linear regression. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for impurities 1 and 2 were 2.0 and 0.2µg/mL, respectively. Intra and interday relative standard deviations (RSDs) were <2% for ticagrelor and <6% for the impurities, proving the precision of the method. Besides, two mayor degradation products formed when sample solutions of ticagrelor were exposed to UVC radiation were elucidated and the mechanisms involved in the photolytic degradation of ticagrelor were proposed.

In vitro evaluation of cutaneous penetration of acyclovir from semisolid commercial formulations and relation with its effective antiviral concentration

ABSTRACT The evaluation of drug permeation/penetration of semisolid formulations into animal skin can be useful to supplement the pharmaceutical equivalence. This paper describes the in vitro assessment of acyclovir (ACV) into porcine skin from commercial formulations with etermination of drug concentration in different layers of cutaneous tissue to correlate with effective antiviral concentration in order to improve the equivalence decision. Studies were conducted using Franz cells and porcine skin. Selected pharmaceutical creams containing ACV had identical (reference and generic) and different (similar) excipients. A software program was employed for the simulation of antiviral effectiveness in the skin. Regarding ACV skin penetration, the first batch of the generic product showed a significant difference from reference and similar products, while in the second batch all products demonstrated equivalent drug penetration in the skin. Simulation studies suggest that formulations analysed exhibit a pharmacological effect even when in contact with Herpes simplex strains of high IC50 (inhibitory concentration required to reduce viral replication by 50%). According to results, it can be assumed that the in vitro cutaneous permeation/penetration study does not supply sensitivity information regarding small alterations of ACV semisolid formulations due to the variability inherent to the method, although it can be relevant to pharmaceutical equivalence studies in the development of semisolid products.

Gemifloxacin mesylate (GFM): dissolution test based on in vivo data.

Gemifloxacin mesylate (GFM) is a synthetic, broad-spectrum, fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent. It is different from other class members because it achieves adequate plasma concentrations to inhibit both topoisomerase IV and gyrase. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a dissolution test for GFM in coated tablets, using a simulated absorption profile based on in vivo data obtained from the literature. The fraction and percentage of the dose absorbed were calculated using model-dependent Loo-Riegelman approach for two compartments. The best in vitro dissolution profile was obtained using 900 mL of pH 6.0 phosphate buffer as a dissolution medium at 37 °C ± 0.5 °C and paddles at 50 rpm. The in vitro dissolution samples were analyzed using a liquid chromatography method, and the validation was performed according to USP 34 (2011). The method showed specificity, precision, accuracy, robustness and linearity. Under these conditions, a level-A in vitro-in vivo correlation was suggested (r = 0.9926). The prediction errors were calculated to determine the validity and accuracy of the suggested correlation. The dissolution test can be used to evaluate the dissolution profile of GFM-coated tablets and minimize the number of bioavailability studies as part of new formulation development.

Stability-indicating micellar electrokinetic chromatography technique for simultaneous measurement of delapril and manidipine from a combination drug formulation.

A stability-indicating micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method was developed and validated for simultaneous analysis of delapril (DEL) and manidipine (MAN) using salicylic acid as an internal standard. The MEKC method was performed using a fused-silica capillary (effective length of 72 cm) with 50 mM of borate buffer and 5 mM of anionic surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate at pH 9.0 as the background electrolyte. The separation was achieved at 25 kV applied voltage and 35 degrees C. The injection was performed at 50 mbar for 5 s, with detection at 208 nm. The method was linear in the range of 15-150 microg/mL (r2 = 0.9966) for DEL and 5-50 microg/mL (r2 = 0.9985) for MAN with adequate results for the precision (< or = 1.87%) and accuracy (98.94% for DEL and 100.65% for MAN). The specificity of the method and its stability-indicating capability was demonstrated through forced degradation studies, which showed that there was no interference from the excipients. The Plackett-Burman experimental design was used for robustness evaluation, giving results within the acceptable range. The method was successfully applied for analysis of the drugs, and the results were compared to an LC method, resulting in nonsignificant differences (P = 0.78 and 0.84 for DEL and MAN, respectively).

First-order derivative UV spectrophotometric method for simultaneous measurement of delapril and manidipine in tablets.

A first-order derivative spectrophotometric (1D-UV) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of delapril (DEL) and manidipine (MAN) in tablets. The 1D-UV spectra were obtained using change lambda = 4.0 nm and wavelength set at 228 nm for DEL and 246 nm for MAN. The method was validated in accordance with the ICH requirements, involving the specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness and limits of detection and quantitation. The method showed high specificity in the presence of two drugs and formulation excipients and was linear over the concentration range of 18-54 microg mL(-1) (r2 = 0.9994) for DEL and 6-18 microg mL(-1) (r2 = 0.9981) for MAN with adequate results for the precision (< or = 1.47%) and accuracy (98.98% for DEL and 100.50% for MAN). Moreover, the method proved to be robust by a Plackett-Burman experimental design evaluation. The proposed 'D-UV method was successfully applied for simultaneous analysis of DEL and MAN in tablets and can be used as alternative green method to separation techniques. The results were compared with the validated liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods, showing non-significant difference.

Effect of phonophoresis on skin permeation of commercial anti-inflammatory gels: sodium diclofenac and ketoprofen.

This study evaluated the use of ultrasound in combination with the commercial anti-inflammatory drugs ketoprofen and sodium diclofenac, according to the parameters used in physiotherapy. Ketoprofen and sodium diclofenac were used in the Franz diffusion cell model adapted to an ultrasound transducer in three conditions: no ultrasound, one application of ultrasound and two applications of ultrasound. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to quantify the total amount of drug permeating skin per unit area, as well as flux and latency. The results showed that for ketoprofen, the amount of drug permeating skin and flux increased with two ultrasound applications. Permeation of sodium diclofenac decreased in the presence of ultrasound. Ultrasound parameters and drug properties must be considered in the use of phonophoresis.

Evaluation of octyl p-methoxycinnamate included in liposomes and cyclodextrins in anti-solar preparations: preparations, characterizations and in vitro penetration studies.

PURPOSE: Awareness of the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation has led to the increasing use of sunscreens, thus, the development of safe and effective antisolar preparations is important. The inclusion of sunscreen molecules in different release systems, like liposomes (lipo) and cyclodextrins (CD) is therefore required. METHODS: The in vivo sun protection factor (SPF), water resistance, and in vitro transdermal penetration test of octyl p-methoxycinnamate (OMC) in different dispersions, such as OMC encapsulated in liposomes (lipo/OMC), OMC encapsulated in ß-cyclodextrins (ß-CD/OMC), OMC encapsulated in both release systems (lipo/OMC and ß-CD/OMC), and an OMC-free formulation were determined. RESULTS: Although the formulation containing only the lipo/OMC system revealed high value of in vivo SPF (11.0 ± 1.3) and water resistance (SPF = 10.3 ± 2.2), the formulation containing both release systems (lipo/OMC + ß-cyclodextrin/OMC) showed the best result in the in vivo SPF test (11.6 ± 1.6). In the penetration test, the formulation containing the lipo/OMC system had better performance, since a high amount of OMC in the epidermis (18.04 ± 1.17 µg) and a low amount of OMC in the dermis (9.4 ± 2.36 µg) were observed. These results suggest that liposomes interact with the cells of the stratum corneum, promoting retention of OMC in this layer. CONCLUSION: According to our study, the lipo/OMC system is the most advantageous release system, due to its ability to both increase the amount of OMC in the epidermis and decrease the risk of percutaneous absorption.

Stability-indicating LC assay for butenafine hydrochloride in creams using an experimental design for robustness evaluation and photodegradation kinetics study.

A stability-indicating liquid chromatography method for the determination of the antifungal agent butenafine hydrochloride (BTF) in a cream was developed and validated using the Plackett-Burman experimental design for robustness evaluation. Also, the drug photodegradation kinetics was determined. The analytical column was operated with acetonitrile, methanol and a solution of triethylamine 0.3% adjusted to pH 4.0 (6:3:1) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and detection at 283 nm. BTF extraction from the cream was done with n-butyl alcohol and methanol in ultrasonic bath. The performed degradation conditions were: acid and basic media with HCl 1M and NaOH 1M, respectively, oxidation with H(2)O(2) 10%, and the exposure to UV-C light. No interference in the BTF elution was verified. Linearity was assessed (r(2) = 0.9999) and ANOVA showed non-significative linearity deviation (p > 0.05). Adequate results were obtained for repeatability, intra-day precision, and accuracy. Critical factors were selected to examine the method robustness with the two-level Plackett-Burman experimental design and no significant factors were detected (p > 0.05). The BTF photodegradation kinetics was determined for the standard and for the cream, both in methanolic solution, under UV light at 254 nm. The degradation process can be described by first-order kinetics in both cases.

Delapril and manidipine measurements by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in a pharmaceutical formulation.

A simple, specific, fast and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous analysis of delapril (DEL) and manidipine (MAN) from their combination formulation was developed and validated using fesoterodine as the internal standard (IS). The LC-MS/MS method was carried out on a Luna C8 column (50 × 3.0 mm i.d., 3 µm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and 10 mmol L(-1) ammonium acetate (90 : 0, v/v), run at a flow rate of 0.25 mL min(-1). The mass spectrometry method was performed employing positive electrospray ionization operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode, monitoring the transitions of m/z 453.1 → 234.1 for DEL, m/z 611.1 → 167.0 for MAN and m/z 412.2 → 223.0 for IS. The total analysis time was 3 min and the method was linear in the concentration range of 6-1080 ng mL(-1) and 2-360 ng mL(-1) for DEL and MAN, respectively. Parameters investigated for the method validation, such as the specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness, gave results within the acceptable range. Moreover, the proposed method was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of DEL and MAN and the results were compared to validated liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis methods showing non-significant differences (P = 0.9).

A simple and rapid method to assess butenafine hydrochloride in skin samples and a comparative cutaneous retention study of two marketed formulations.

A new method for the quantification of butenafine hydrochloride (BTF) present in the main skin layers was validated and a study conducted with the aim of analyzing the penetration and/or the permeation of the drug. The quantification was performed by liquid chromatography. To evaluate the specificity of the method, the influence of the components of the skin was analyzed, as well as the skin in contact with the excipient ingredients. Linearity was assessed with concentrations in the range of 0.1-10 µg/mL (r(2) = 0.9999) and ANOVA showed non-significant linear deviation (p > 0.05). Adequate results were obtained for repeatability, intra-day precision and accuracy. The obtained values for the limit of quantification and the limit of detection were 68.4 and 17.7 ng/mL, respectively. Also, a comparative study of BTF cutaneous penetration through porcine skin was performed applying two different formulations: Tefin, present in the Brazilian market, and Lotrimin Ultra(®) , available in the American market. No statistical difference was found in the skin (epidermis plus dermis) and in the epidermis (p > 0.05), although in the dermis the difference was significant (p < 0.05). During the experimental period (8 h), no drug permeation from either formulation was detected in the receptor fluid.

Development and validation of a discriminative dissolution test for nimesulide suspensions.

The dissolution test for oral dosage forms has recently widened to a variety of special dosage forms such as suspensions. For class II drugs, such as nimesulide (NMS), this study is very important because formulation problems may compromise drug bioavailability. In the present work, tests with four brands of commercially available NMS (RA, TS, TB, and TC) have been performed in order to study their dissolution at different conditions. The suspensions have been characterized relatively to particle size, pH, and density besides NMS assay and the amount of drug in solution in the suspension vehicles. The dissolution study was conducted using the following media: simulated intestinal fluid, pH 6.8, containing polysorbate 80 (P80) or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS); phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, with P80 and aqueous solution of SLS. Concerning the quantitative analysis, the UV-VIS spectrophotometry could have been used in substitution to high-performance liquid chromatography since the methodology had been adequately validated. The influence of the drug particle size distribution was significant on the dissolution profiles of NMS formulations, confirming to be a factor that should be strictly controlled in the development of oral suspensions.

Influence of the calcium concentration in the presence of organic phosphorus on the physicochemical compatibility and stability of all-in-one admixtures for neonatal use.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants need high amounts of calcium and phosphorus for bone mineralization, which is difficult to obtain with parenteral feeding due to the low solubility of these salts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical compatibility of high concentrations of calcium associated with organic phosphate and its influence on the stability of AIO admixtures for neonatal use. METHODS: Three TPN admixture formulas were prepared in multilayered bags. The calcium content of the admixtures was adjusted to 0, 46.5 or 93 mg/100 ml in the presence of a fixed organic phosphate concentration as well as lipids, amino acids, inorganic salts, glucose, vitamins and oligoelements at pH 5.5. Each admixture was stored at 4 degrees C, 25 degrees C or 37 degrees C and evaluated over a period of 7 days. The physicochemical stability parameters evaluated were visual aspect, pH, sterility, osmolality, peroxide formation, precipitation, and the size of lipid globules. RESULTS: Color alterations occurred from the first day on, and reversible lipid film formation from the third day of study for the admixtures stored at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C. According to the parameters evaluated, the admixtures were stable at 4 degrees C; and none of them presented precipitated particles due to calcium/phosphate incompatibility or lipid globules larger than 5 mum, which is the main parameter currently used to evaluate lipid emulsion stability. The admixtures maintained low peroxide levels and osmolarity was appropriate for parenteral administration. CONCLUSION: The total calcium and calcium/phosphorus ratios studied appeared not to influence the physicochemical compatibility and stability of AIO admixtures.

Desenvolvimento e validação de metodologia analítica para a determinação do teor de ácido glicólico na matéria-prima e em formulações dermocosméticas / Development and validation of an analytical methodology for determination of glycolic acid acid in raw material and dermocosmetic formulations

O ácido glicólico é amplamente utilizado na terapêutica para se obter um peeling suave, levando ao afinamento do estrato córneo útil na renovação da epiderme e na redução das linhas faciais. Porém, em concentrações elevadas pode estar associado a um alto potencial de irritação da pele. O peeling químico tem diversas aplicações clínicas dentre elas o tratamento da pele facial lesada por problemas como acne, ictiose, melasma, verrugas e outros problemas. O presente trabalho objetivou estabelecer e validar a metodologia analítica para a determinação do teor de ácido glicólico na matéria-prima e em formulações dermocosméticas, tendo empregado o método titulométrico de neutralização ácido-base, determinando-se o ponto de equivalência com indicador e/ou indicação potenciométrica. A análise do teor de ácido glicólico na matéria-prima e, particularmente, no produto acabado, é importante para o controle de qualidade, principalmente, para a segurança dos consumidores. Portanto, a matéria-prima e os produtos, contendo ácido glicólico, foram analisados em dois dias, quanto ao teor de ácido glicólico livre e total utilizando soluções de hidróxido de sódio 0,1 N e o ácido clorídrico 0,1 N. A metodologia desenvolvida baseou-se na reação com a substância ativa e com as características próprias destas formulações, demonstrando ser prática e eficaz na quantificação do ácido glicólico.

Glycolic acid is widely used in therapeutical care as a soft peeling, leading to the thickness of the horny layer, which is useful in the renewal of the epidermis and the reduction of the face lines. However, in high concentrations it can be associated to a potential of irritation of the skin. A chemical peeling has diverse clinical applications, among them the treatment of injured skin face like: acne, ichthyose, melasma, warts and other else. The present work had the goal to establish and to validate an analytical methodology for the determination of the glycolic acid purity in the raw material and in the dermocosmetic formulations, the acid-base neutralization titration method was used, and the end point was determined with visual indicator as well as potenciometric. The analysis of glycolic acid in the raw material, and particularly, in the finished product is important to maintain the quality control and to guarantee the consumers security. Therefore, the raw material and the products, with glycolic acid, were analyzed in two days, as its purity in free and total glycolic acid was determined using sodium hydroxide 0,1 N and the hydrochloric acid 0,1 N solutions. The developed methodology was based on the reaction with the active substance and with the property characteristics of these formulations. It was demonstrated to be practical and efficient in quantify the glycolic acid.

New microencapsulation system for ascorbic acid using pea protein concentrate as coat protector.

Microencapsulation is essential to preserve biological activity of ascorbic acid (AA) and pea protein has not been used as a carrier in such processes. This work aimed to produce microparticles by a spray-drying process using pea protein (PPC) as wall material of AA and evaluate the retention of the core by HPLC, overall morphology SEM, size distribution by light scattering and release kinetics. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and blends with maltodextrin (M) were produced for comparative analyses. The yields were compatible with the applied technology and the retention was above 84% for all materials. The PPC microparticles presented irregular and rough surfaces, CMC produced a regular and smooth surface and agglomeration was more intense in microparticles with M. Mean particle diameters were all below 8 microm. The microparticle release rates were lower than those with free AA, being best correlated to the Higuchi kinetic model. These results support the utilization of PPC for microencapsulation of AA.

On-line solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC-MS-MS) for quantification of bromazepam in human plasma: an automated method for bioequivalence studies.

A validated method for on-line solid-phase extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC-MS-MS) is described for the quantification of bromazepam in human plasma. The method involves a dilution of 300 muL of plasma with 100 muL of carbamazepine (2.5 ng/mL), used as internal standard, vortex-mixing, centrifugation, and injection of 100 muL of the supernate. The analytes were ionized using positive electrospray mass spectrometry then detected by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The m/z transitions 316-->182 (bromazepam) and 237-->194 (carbamazepine) were used for quantification. The calibration curve was linear from 1 ng/mL (limit of quantification) to 200 ng/mL. The retention times of bromazepam and carbamazepine were 2.6 and 3.2 minutes, respectively. The intraday and interday precisions were 3.43%-15.45% and 5.2%-17%, respectively. The intraday and interday accuracy was 94.00%-103.94%. This new automated method has been successfully applied in a bioequivalence study of 2 tablet formulations of 6 mg bromazepam: Lexotan(R) from Produtos Roche Químicos e Farmacêuticos SA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (reference) and test formulation from Laboratórios Biosintética Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil. Because the 90% CI of geometric mean ratios between reference and test were completely included in the 80%-125% interval, the 2 formulations were considered bioequivalent. The comparison of different experimental conditions for establishing a dissolution profile in vitro along with our bioavailability data further allowed us to propose rationally based experimental conditions for a dissolution test of bromazepam tablets, actually lacking a pharmacopeial monograph.

Multiple level C in vitro/in vivo correlation of dissolution profiles of two L-thyroxine tablets with pharmacokinetics data obtained from patients treated for hypothyroidism.

In a previous study aimed to compare the bioavailability of two levothyroxine tablets, we found a good relation between their pharmacokinetics parameters and dissolution profiles, employing the USP dissolution conditions in use at that time (24th edition). Despite the formulations were considered bioequivalent, the test product presented values of AUC and concentrations at steady-state significantly lower (about 10%) than the reference ones. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate if the actual pharmacopeial conditions (with alterations introduced in the first supplement of USP 24) would also allow a good correlation between bioavailability and dissolution data. The partial AUCs were correlated with cumulative levothyroxine amount dissolved at three different times, for each dissolution condition. Employing the old method, test tablets had a slower dissolution rate than the reference ones, resulting in a quite good multiple level C in vitro/in vivo (IVIV) correlation. On the other hand, the very fast dissolution profiles obtained in the actual condition lead to a worse IVIV correlation. Present work indicates that the mild conditions proposed in the older US Pharmacopeia were better than the actual in order to discriminate dissolution profiles of levothyroxine tablets which present subtle, but significant, differences in their pattern of absorption.

Meios para dissolução de comprimidos de nimesulida: ação dos tensoativos / Media for nimesulide tablet dissolution: surfactant action

A nimesulida é um antiinflamatório não-esteróide com baixa solubilidade em água e caráter fracamente ácido. O desenvolvimento dos ensaios de dissolução para fármacos de baixa hidrossolubilidade pode ser problemático e tensoativos são freqüentemente requeridos para aumentar a solubilização dos mesmos. No presente trabalho avaliou-se o efeito dos tensoativos lauril sulfato de sódio e polissorbato 80, na promoção da solubilidade da nimesulida em meio aquoso, determinando-se também o pH, a tensão superficial e a concentração micelar crítica dos meios testados. A nimesulida apresentou baixa solubilidade nos meios sem tensoativos...