The Impact of Dose and Solubility of Additives on the Release from HPMC Matrix Tablets-Identifying Critical Conditions
Journal article, 2009

Purpose. The dissolution of HPMC matrix tablets containing different amounts of highly soluble (mannitol) or poorly soluble (dicalcium phosphate, DCP) was studied to deduce the parameters critical to release robustness. Methods. The release of HPMC and additives was studied using a modified USP II method at two paddle stirring rates, 50 and 125 rpm, at HPMC content varying from 15% to 100%. Results. At HPMC contents between 30% and 35% a critical point was identified and found crucial to the release from the HPMC/mannitol tablets. Below this point the matrix rapidly disintegrated in a non robust manner. At higher HPMC contents the mannitol release became increasingly diffusion controlled with maintained matrix integrity. The release robustness was lower for HPMC/DCP than HPMC/mannitol tablets at high HPMC contents, however, lacking critical points. The critical point was interpreted as the percolation threshold for HPMC and differences explained in terms of water transport into the matrix. Conclusion. The release robustness was lower for formulations with additives of low solubility having an erosion controlled release than for additives with higher solubility and a diffusion controlled release. However, for additives creating a steep osmotic pressure gradient, an HPMC content above the percolation threshold becomes vital for maintaining the release robustness.

percolation threshold

release robustness

drug load

HPMC

solubility

Author

Farhad Tajarobi

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology

SuMo Biomaterials

Susanna Abrahmsén-Alami

AstraZeneca AB

Magnus Hansén

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering

Anette Larsson

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology

SuMo Biomaterials

Pharmaceutical Research

0724-8741 (ISSN) 1573-904X (eISSN)

Vol. 26 6 1496-1503

Subject Categories

Pharmaceutical Sciences

DOI

10.1007/s11095-009-9861-y

More information

Latest update

8/18/2020