Effects of excipients on hydrate formation in wet masses containing theophylline

Transformations between solid phases in dosage forms can lead to instability in drug release. Thus, it is important to understand mechanisms and kinetics of phase transformations and factors that may influence them. During wet granulation theophylline shows pseudopolymorphic changes that may alter its dissolution rate. The aim of this study was to investigate whether excipients, such as alpha-lactose monohydrate or the highly water absorbing silicified microcrystalline cellulose (SMCC) can influence the hydrate formation of theophylline. In particular, the aim was to study if SMCC offers protection against the formation of theophylline monohydrate relative to alpha-lactose monohydrate in wet masses after an overnight equilibration and the stability of final granules during controlled storage. In addition, the aim was to study the use of spectroscopic methods to identify hydrate formation in the formulations containing excipients. Off-line evaluation of materials was performed using X-ray powder diffractometry, near infrared and Raman spectroscopy. alpha-Lactose monohydrate with minimal water absorbing potential was not able to prevent but enhanced hydrate formation of theophylline. Even though SMCC is able to take large amounts of water into its internal structure, it was able to inhibit the formation of theophylline monohydrate only at low moisture contents, not at the amounts of water needed to form granules. Both the spectroscopic methods used could identify the hydrate formation even though there were excipients in the formulation.