FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FLAVOXATE HYDROCHLORIDE EXTENDED RELEASE CAPSULES

FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FLAVOXATE HYDROCHLORIDE EXTENDED RELEASE CAPSULES

K. Satyavathi*, M. Venu, P. Gayathri, P. Bhojaraju and L.K. Kanthal

Koringa College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Korangi-533 461, Tallarevu (M), E.G. Dist., Andhra Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT: Flavoxate Hydrochloride is an antispasmodic, mainly used for treating painful urination, urgency of urination and incontinence. The primary objective of the study was to formulate extended release capsules of Flavoxate hydrochloride to reduce dosing frequency and decreasing the associated side effects. The extended release capsules were formulated using extrusion spheronisation process with ethyl cellulose, HPMC polymers. First, pellets (C1 to C6) containing varying amounts of Ethyl cellulose or Microcrystalline cellulose, Dicalcium phosphate and Eudragit NE30D55 were prepared using extrusion spheronisation (C6 was selected). Then the selected pellets were coated with different drug loading solution (DL 1 to DL7) with varying concentrations of Methocel (DL7 was selected).Finally extended release coating was applied to optimized drug loaded pellets and ten batches (E1 to E10) were prepared.. The dissolution profile comparison of the prepared batches E1 to E10and market preparation (Urispass) was done by difference factor (f1) and similarity factor (f₂) determination. The formulation E9 (EC: HPMC 1:1 ratio) with a difference factor f1 (5.9) and similarity factor (f₂) of 64.6   was selected as the optimized formulae for scale-up batches.  The dissolution data were fitted into zero-order, first-order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models to identify the pharmacokinetics and mechanism of drug release.

Pelletization, Extrusion, spheronisation, extended release

INTRODUCTION: Pelletization is an agglomeration process that converts fine powders or granules of bulk drugs and excipients into small, free-flowing, spherical or semi-spherical units, referred to as pellets ¹. Pellets are defined as small spherical or semispherical particles made up of fine powders or granules of drugs and excipients, by a variety of processes ^{2, 3}. The use of polymers such as chitosan ^4, crosspovidone ⁵, starch ⁶, pectin ^{7, 8}, dextrin ⁹ and carrageenan ¹⁰, for the manufacture of pellets by extrusion-spheronization has been described.

Extended Release dosage forms release drug slowly, so that plasma concentrations are maintained at a therapeutic level for prolonged period of time ¹¹.

Flavoxate HCl is a competitive muscarinic receptor antagonist, mainly used for the treatment of overactive bladder with urinary urgency and incontinence ¹².

The present work aims to formulate and evaluate extended release capsules of Flavoxate hydrochloride to reduce dosing frequency and the associated side effects with conventional tablets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Chemicals and reagents

Flavoxate HCl sample was obtained from Hetero Drugs Pvt. Ltd, Jadcharla, India; Microcrystalline cellulose, Dicalcium phosphate were purchased from Signet chemicals, India; Ethyl cellulose was purchased from CP kilico, Newzealand; Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose was purchased from Dow Chemicals, USA.

Preformulation Study: Preformulation can be defined as the investigation of physical and chemical properties of drug substance alone and when combined with excipients. The parameters like Bulk density, Tapped density, Angle of repose, Carr’s compressibility Index, and Hausner’s ratio, solubility were found during preformulation studies. The IR spectrum of the drug was compared with that of the physical mixture to check any possible drug-excipients interaction.

Procedure for the Preparation of calibration curve by HPLC: Initially 50mg of Flavoxate hydrochloride was accurately weighed and dissolved in 50ml of distilled water to get primary stock solution of 1000µg/ml. From this primary stock solution aliquots of 1-5ml were pipetted and diluted to 100ml to get the solutions having concentrations of 10-50 µg/ml. Area of each solution was measured using HPLC (LUNA 100A).

Formulation of Extended Release Capsules: Extended release capsules of Flavoxate hydrochloride were formulated in the following stages

1. Preparation of pellets by extrusion spheronization technique.
2. Drug loading on the prepared pellets.
3. Extended release coating on the drug loaded pellets.

Preparation of pellets (C1-C6) by Extrusion Spheronization: Microcrystalline cellulose/ ethylcellulose and dicalcium phosphate were weighed accurately and the contents were mixed for 2-3 min in Rapid mixer granulator (RMG). Then Eudragit NE30D was added and dry mixing was continued for further 2-3min.Then purified water was added to the above mixture and mixed for 3-4min at 0.75amp in RMG.

Extrusion: The above blend was then transferred into an extruder (Umang Pharm ltd, EXT 65/9-2000) to obtain extrudes. By using extruder extrudes, of 0.8mm were obtained.

Spheronization: Extrudes obtained from the above step were spheronized using spheronizer (Umang Pharm ltd, 250/11). The process parameters used for spheronizer were as follows: Spheronization time -3min 15sec; Atomization air velocity -1kg/cm²; 2455rpm. Then the obtained spheroids were sifted using #30mesh and dried by using rapid drier. Process parameters used for the rapid drier were as follows: Inlet temperature, Fluidization temperature -60°C; Time 30 min.

The composition of formulation of pellets for C1─ C3 is given Table 1 and the composition of formulation of pellets for C4─ C6 is given Table 2. The characteristics of the pellets were observed.

TABLE 1: COMPOSITION OF FORMULATION OF PELLETS C1─ C3

TABLE 2: COMPOSITION OF FORMULATION OF PELLETS C4 ─ C6:

Drug loading on prepared pellets: MCC/DCP extrudes of selected batch (C6) obtained from extrusion spheronization in the first step were loaded in fluidized bed processor (Glatt, Japan GPCG1.1) and warmed for 10 min. Then drug loading was carried out in fluid bed processor.

Preparation of drug Coating solution: Flavoxate hydrochloride was dissolved in ethanol. The solution was stirred at 1000 rpm using stirrer. Methocel E5LV was added to the above mixture and stirring was continued for 10 min. Then purified water was added and stirring was continued until a homogeneous dispersion was obtained .The drug loading process parameters used in fluid bed processor are: Inlet Temperature (50-60˚C); Product temperature (45-55˚C); Exhaust Temperature (40-50˚C); Drive Speed (40-50CFM); Spray Rate (2-5ml/min); Atomization (1.5-1.7barr); Wurster Height (20-40cm). The compositions of coating solution were varied to achieve optimum drug loading. Different compositions of coating solution were mentioned in Table 3. Drug loaded pellets were subjected to drug content estimation and optimized batch was selected.

Extended release coating: Optimized batch (D7) of drug loaded pellets was taken for extended release coating. Methocel (HPMC) and ethylcellulose were used as polymers for extended release coating. Drug loaded pellets were loaded into fluidized bed processor and warmed to a temperature of 30-35^oC for 10 minutes and coating was carried out using extended release coating solution.

Preparation of extended release coating solution

Required quantities of ethanol and dichloro methane were taken in a beaker and Methocel was added to it and stirred for certain time. Then ethylcellulose was added to the above dispersion and stirring was continued to get a homogeneous dispersion. The different compositions of coating solution were given in Table 4.

Each of the coating solutions was applied to get different percentage coating build up to obtain the desired release profile. The different coating buildups formulated were given in the Table 5.

TABLE 3: DIFFERENT COMPOSITIONS OF COATING SOLUTIONS DL1-DL7

TABLE 4: DIFFERENT COMPOSITIONS OF COATING SOLUTIONS ER1-ER3

TABLE 5: PERCENTAGE BUILD UPS OF FORMULATIONS E1-E10

Coated pellets (161.6 mg) were filled into the capsules and the capsules were evaluated.

In vitro drug release study: The in vitro dissolution studies of extended-release tablets were performed using USP Type I dissolution apparatus (basket type) (Electro labs, India TDT-08L). The dissolution medium consisted of 900 ml of 0.01N HCl (1^st h) and phosphate buffer (pH=6.8) during the rest of the study period maintained at 37±0.2°C. The speed of the paddle was set at 100 rpm. Aliquot of samples (5 ml) were withdrawn at specific time intervals and the same amount of buffer was replaced into the dissolution bowl to maintain the sink conditions

Release kinetics: To analyze the in vitro release data, various kinetic models were used. The drug release profile obtained in dissolution test was plotted in Zero order kinetics, First order kinetics, Higuchi square root kinetics, and Korsmeyer-Peppas model.

Comparison of dissolution profiles: The similarity in the drug release pattern of the marketed product and the formulation developed was determined by calculating the difference factor (f1) and similarity factor (f₂). The two products are said to be similar if the value of f1 is 0 and 15 and if the value of f₂ lies between 50 and 100.  f₂ is given by the formula given below:

f1= {[S _t=1ⁿ |R_t-T_t|] / [S _t=1ⁿ R_t]} x100...

f2= 50xlog {[1+ (1/n) S _t=1ⁿ (R_t-T_t) ²] ^-0.5 x100}....

Accelerated stability studies: Short-term accelerated stability studies for a period of three months according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines were performed on the optimized blister-packed   extended-release capsules. They were subjected to stability studies at 40°C/75%RH in a stability chamber for a period of three months. Initial evaluation of the capsules was done and at the end of first, second and third month the tablets were again analyzed for physical appearance, water content and in vitro drug release profile.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Preformulation Studies: In the preformulation studies, the results indicated that the drug has very poor flow properties (Carr’s compressibility index 33.3% and Hausner’s ratio 1.5).The solubility studies indicated that the drug has good aqueous solubility (16.26mg/ml)

Drug-compatibility studies: The compatibility between the drug and other excipients was evaluated using FTIR peak matching method which confirmed the absence of any chemical interaction. The results were shown in Figure 1 a & b. The following bands were observed in the spectra: tertiary amine (3415), C-H stretching in CH₃ (2944), C=C aromatic stretching (1598), phenolic OH stretchings (1212).

FIGURE 1 a: IR SPECTRUM OF DRUG

FIGURE 1 b: IR SPECTRUM OF DRUG +MCC+DCP

Calibration curve of Flavoxate hydrochloride

Calibration curve of Flavoxate hydrochloride was plotted using HPLC (Fig. 2).The standard curve was generated for the entire range from 10-50 µg/ml. The chromatographic conditions are as follows:

Mobile phase- Acetonitrile: Phosphate buffer (55:45) pH-7.0; column - C-18; Detector wavelength -210nm; Flow rate -1ml/min.; Software-Empower photo iodide array software.

FIGURE 2: CALIBRATION CURVE OF FLAVOXATE HYDROCHLORIDE

Formulation of Extended release capsules:

Preparation of pellets by extrusion spheronization: Six batches pellets were prepared by extrusion spheronization technique and the characteristics of the prepared pellets were observed. Of all the six, C6 formulation has smooth surface with suitable hardness.

Drug loading on prepared pellets: Pellets of formulation C6 were coated using different coating compositions. The drug content was estimated from the drug coated pellets and DL7 formula was selected (99.8% drug content).

Dissolution data of formulations E1-E10: The coated pellets E1-E10 were filled in to capsules and they were subjected to in vitro drug release studies. The results were tabulated and compared with innovator product (urispass).Of all the formulations, E9 batch was found to be comparable with the innovator product with difference factor f1 5.9 and similarity factor f2 64.6.

FIGURE 3: COMPARATIVE DISSOLUTION PROFILE OF FORMULATIONS E1-E4 WITH INNOVATOR’S PRODUCT

FIGURE 4: COMPARATIVE DISSOLUTION PROFILES OF FORMULATIONS E5 – E7 WITH INNOVATOR’S PRODUCT

FIGURE 5: COMPARATIVE DISSOLUTION PROFILES OF FORMULATIONS E8-E10 WITH INNOVATOR’S PRODUCT

DRUG RELEASE KINETICS

When the dissolutiondata was fitted into various models, it was found that the drug release followed first order kinetics.The n value (0.2) from the Korsemeyer Pappas model showed that the drug release pattern follows mainly the Fickian diffusion mechanism as the n value is below 0.5.

TABLE 6: RELEASE KINETICS OF URISPASS AND FORMULATION E9

Stability studies: The accelerated stability studies for three months reveal that the formulation (E9) has not undergone any physical or chemical degradation during the period. There are no significant differences in the in vitro drug release and the drug content of the optimized formulation.

FIGURE 7: COMPARATIVE DISSOLUTION PROFILE OF FORMULATION E9 WITH MARKETED PRODUCT URISPASS AFTER ACCELERATED STABILITY STUDY

CONCLUSION: Extended release pellets of Flavoxate hydrochloride were successfully prepared by extrusion spheronization technique. Incorporation of MCC and DCP facilitated the process of extrusion and spheronization. Coating of ethyl cellulose containing small amounts of HPMC as pore former helped in sustaining the release of the drug. The coated pellets were found to be stable when stored at accelerated conditions for 3 months. The formulated extended release capsules E9 were found to match the innovator product (urispass). Once a daily extended release capsule of Flavoxate hydrochloride would be thus helpful in reducing dosing frequency and decreasing the associated side effects.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The authors are thankful to the management of Koringa College of Pharmacy, Korangi, Andhra Pradesh, India for availing all the facilities.

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    How to cite this article:

    Satyavathi K, Venu M, Gayathri P, Bhojaraju P and Kanthal LK:Formulation and development of flavoxate hydrochloride extended release capsules. Int J Pharm Sci Res 2014; 5(5): 1949-56.doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5 (5).1949-56.

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