Succinylsulfathiazole crystal forms. II: Effect of additives on kinetics of interconversion

The effect of various additives on the rate of transformation of the metastable anhydrous succinylsulfathiazole Form I to the water-stable dihydrate Form II in aqueous suspensions was studied. Some structurally related compounds, viscosity-imparting agents, surfactants, and coloring agents were used as possible transformation retardants. The effect of including seeds of Form II in the presence and absence of additives is also discussed. Some additives, e.g., methylcellulose and phthalysulfathiazole, showed significant transformation-retarding effects. Other additives, e.g., sulfanilamide and glycerin, increased the rate of transformation. Coloring agents had only slight effects. Utilization of the results in the formulation of physically stable aqueous suspensions of succinylsulfathiazole is discussed.