COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT HIGH FUNCTIONALITY EXCIPIENTS ON VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS OF VARDENAFIL HCL TABLETS (BCS II DRUG)

COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT HIGH FUNCTIONALITY EXCIPIENTS ON VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS OF VARDENAFIL HCL TABLETS (BCS II DRUG)

Maulin A. Patel* and Prashant L. Pingale

Department of Pharmaceutics and Quality Assurance, School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, NMIMS, Shirpur-425405 India.

ABSTRACT: Direct Compression is becoming a preferred manufacturing process in order to speed up the manufacturing and reduce costs. Although a major requirement for direct compression process is selection of excipients with the optimum physical characteristics that increase final flowability and compressibility of the ready for compression (RFC) tableting blend. By using combinations of excipients and novel processing techniques, particles / excipients can be engineered to deliver desired properties to be used in direct compression. The resulting engineered excipients are commonly known as “coprocessed,” “high functionality,” “multifunctional,” “high functionality,” “performance” excipients. Prosolv Easytab SP and Panexcea™ MHC 300G are amongst this type of high-functionality excipients, which are used in present study to check their comparative performance on compression of tablets using direct compression technique with use of BCS class– II drugs such as Vardenafil HCl (5 mg). The drug was characterized using Infra-red spectroscopy. Pre-formulation, solubility and drug-excipient compatibility studies were carried for drug substance. While for all individual batches, blend analysis and various IPQC parameters such as tablet hardness, friability, disintegration, weight variation and uniformity of thickness were analysed. In-vitro release for the drug was also studied, the results from tablets of both batches using different high-functionality excipients were optimum and satisfactory and use of such high-functionality excipient is favourable in order to enhance efficiency with reduction in both time and cost of process.

High-functionality excipients, Co-processed excipients, ProsolvEasytab SP, Panexcea MHC 300 G, Vardenafil HCl

INTRODUCTION: In order to increase acceptability of direct compression method for tablet punching, innovative excipients with improved compressibility and flow, which can include API variability, are required. Enhancing certain functionality of an existing excipient by using novel processing methods, or combining it with other commonly used excipients, are amongst the most cost effective manner.

By using combinations of excipients and novel processing techniques, particles / excipients can be engineered to deliver desired properties to be used in direct compression. The resulting engineered excipients are commonly known as “coprocessed,” “high functionality,” “multifunctional,” “high functionality,” “performance”excipients”¹.

A new class of ready-to-use lubricant-coated high functionality excipient, “Prosolv Easytab SP” has been launched in the market, which can be used in one-step blending with API before compression without the need of using any other auxiliary agent². The aim of the article is about development of an immediate release oral unit dosage form foranalysing the comparative effect of the “ProsolvEasytab SP” and “Panexcea MHC 300G” used independently. The effect to be analysed is the release pattern and other formulation as well as ‘in process quality control’ parameters. The drugs used for the article is Vardenafil HCl. Vardenafil inhibits cGMP-metabolizing phosphodiesterases and is used for treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders and/or disorders of the urogenital system³. Present article deals with providing the account of effect of such all-in-one composite for better selection guide to the preparation of the directly compressible oral solid dosage forms.

 High functionality excipients used in research work:

ProsolvEasytab SP contains mainly, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)- 96.50% as diluents / filler, Colloidal silicon dioxide- 2.00% as glidant, Sodium starch glycolate (SSG)- 1.00% as a superdisintegrant, Sodium stearyl fumarate (SSF)- 0.50% as lubricant. Panexcea MHC 300G contains microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)- 89.00%, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC)- 2.00% as binder & crospovidone (CPVD)- 9.00% as a superdisintegrant.

Materials and methods

Vardenafil HCl was obtained as a kind gift sample by Watson Pharma, Mumbai. ProsolvEasytab SP acquired from JRS Pharma / S. Zhaveri Pharmakem, Mumbai. Panexcea MHC 300 G was obtained as a gift sample from Aventor Performance Limited, Sinnar, Nasik.

 Formulation of immediate release tablets of Vardenafil HCl

Direct compression was the chosen method for preparation of tablets, since the excipient composites are designed for such procedure and contains all the necessary content for the same

All materials were weighed accurately using Shimadzu weighing balance. Both, the drugs and all excipient composites were individually shifted through 40# mesh separately. Respective drugs with the respective excipients (in the predetermined ratio and according to formula) were blended for 2 min. Tablets were compressed using “B”-tooling single rotatory 12 station tablet compression machine and 6 mm sized, flat punches set. Prepared tablets were evaluated for required IPQC parameters, such as tablet hardness, uniformity of thickness, friability, disintegration and average weight of tablets. In-vitro release of API from the drug was also analysed. Reproducibility of the trials using same formula was also checked. The formulae for the preparation of Vardenafil HCl tablets with different excipient composites are as given in Table 1.

 TABLE 1: COMPOSITION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TABLETS OF VARDENAFIL HCL

Evaluation of Powder Blend

Powder blend was evaluated for parameters like bulk density, tapped density, Hausner’s ratio, compressibility index

 Bulk density (BD): Bulk density was determined by measuring the known mass of powder sample that has been passed through a screen into a graduated cylinder and as method suggested in USP-32 ⁴. Bulk density is calculated by following given formula:

Bulk density = Final weight of powder / Bulk volume

Tapped density (TD):⁴

The cylinder containing measured sample mass was tapped mechanically by raising the cylinder and allowing it to drop its own weight using a suitable mechanical tapped density tester that provides a fixed drop of 14 ± 2 mm at nominal rate of 300 drops per minute. The tapped bulk density is calculated in gm/ml by the following formula: ⁵

Tapped Density = Weight of powder / Tapped volume

 Hausner’s ratio: Hausner’s ratio is calculated as following for unsettled apparent volume (V₀) and final tapped volume (V_f) ⁵:

Hausner’s ratio = V₀ / V_F

Hausner’s ratio may also be calculated as

Hausner’s ratio = ρtapped / ρbulk

Where, ρ_{= Density}

Compressibility index: The compressibility index is calculated by the given formula:⁵

Compressibility index = 100 * (V_{0 -} V_f/ V₀)

or

Compressibility index = 100 * (ρ_tapped - ρ_{bulk /} ρ_tapped)

 Angle of repose: Angle of repose is related to inter particulate friction or resistance to movement between particles. Angle of repose was determined by the funnel method calculated using following equation.⁵

tan (α) = height / 0.5 base

 Evaluation of tablets:

IPQC Parameters for Uncoated and Coated Tablets

During compression compressed matrix tablets were evaluated for in process quality control parameters which are listed below

• Average weight (g): During compression process, 10 tablets were weighed on electronic balance and average weight was measured each time.
• Thickness (mm): The thickness of the tablet was measured using digital Vernier scale.
• Hardness (kP): The Monsanto tablet hardness tester was used for the determination of the hardness.
• Friability (%): Friability of the tablets was determined using Roche friabilator. This device subjects the tablets to the combined effect of abrasions and shock in a plastic chamber revolving at 25 rpm and dropping the tablets at a height of 6 inches in each revolution. Pre weighed sample of tablets was placed in the friabilator and rotate drum to 100 revolutions. Tablets were de-dusted using a soft muslin cloth and reweighed.

The friability (F) is given by the equation:

F = (W₀- W / W₀) × 100

Where, W₀is the weight of the tablets before the test,

W is the weight of the dedusted tablet after the test.

 In-vitro Drug Release (Dissolution Study)

The in-vitro dissolution tests were performed using USP apparatus ІІ (Paddle method). Total no. of tablets used for each test were six (6) units. The Dissolution medium for Vardenafil HCl it was 900 ml of 0.1 N HCl as mentioned in monograph as well as in dissolution method given by Office of Generic Drugs (OGD). The Paddle rotation speed was kept at 50 rpm for both methods. In all experiments, an aliquot of 10 ml dissolution samples was withdrawn at predetermined time intervals, and replaced with an equal volume of the fresh medium to maintain total volume constant (sink condition). Samples were filtered through filter paper and analysed by UV spectrophotometer 245 nm for Vardenafil HCl. Cumulative fractions of drug released from the tablets were calculated and plotted as function of time.

 Excipients Compatibility Studies

Related substances analysis can be used as the simplest method to predict any physiochemical interaction between the components in a formulation and can therefore be applied for selection of suitable chemically compatible excipients.Following combinations of Drug and Excipient were kept at under stress condition for compatibility studies. 40°C/75% R_H (open) for 1 month and Drug-Excipient compatibility for drugs & excipients mixture were tested using IR spectroscopy studies.

TABLE 2: DRUG-EXCIPIENTS COMPATIBILITY STUDY

   RESULTS & DISCUSSION:

Results of drug-excipient compatibility study: The results of the drug-excipient compatibility study are shown in Table 3.

In Table 3 observations for drug-excipient compatibility studies after 1 month are shown. The table also gives inference whether drug is compatible with excipient.

TABLE 3: RESULTS OF EXCIPIENT-COMPATIBILITY STUDIES AT 40°C/75% RH

 Results of Blend Evaluation Parameters for Trials F001 to F002:

For trials F001 to F002 results of blend evaluation studies are shown in Tables 4.

TABLE 4: RESULTS OF BLEND EVALUATION PARAMETERS FOR TRIALS F001 TO F002

IPQC parameters & Assay studies: In process quality control parameters were tested for all four trial batches F001 to F002 and results for same trials are given in Table 5.

TABLE 5: RESULTS OF IPQC PARAMETERS FOR TRIAL BATCHES F001 TO F002

 In-vitro drug release studies:

In-vitro drug release from tablets of batches F001 to F002 has been shown in Table 6, followed by the graphical representation of same in Figure 1.

TABLE 6: RESULTS OF IN-VITRO DRUG RELEASE FOR TRIAL BATCHES F001 TO F002

FIGURE 1: COMPARATIVE DISSOLUTION PROFILE OF TRIAL BATCHES F001 AND F002

CONCLUSION: Both, High functionality excipients used for the studies ProsolvEasytab SP and Panexcea MHC 300 G, showed efficient flow as well as compressibility properties. Both of the excipient composites showed optimized release in media. The methods used for the preparation of tablets using high functionality excipients were

rapid. It ensured savings of time as well as reduction of process steps and efforts. Reduced process steps also reduced the chances of contamination or quality related issues. The compressed tablet contains optimized physical characteristics such as hardness, friability, disintegration etc. and it also showed good dissolution parameters in-vitro. Hence, it can be concluded that the directly compressible high functionality excipients must be preferred for generic manufacturing of drugs. It can reduce the cost of overall manufacturing, can improve quality, speeds up the process and in final turn can reduce the overall price of tablet in market.

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How to cite this article:

Patel MA and Pingale PL: Comparative Effect of Different High Functionality Excipients on Various Characteristics of Vardenafil HCl Tablets (BCS II Drug). Int J Pharm Sci Res2014; 5(12): 5447-51.doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5 (12).5447-51.

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