Measuring drug saturation solubility in thin polymer films: use of a thin acceptor layer

The saturation solubility of scopolamine base in two pressure sensitive adhesive DURO-TAKs has been determined using the 5-layer laminate technique. The acceptor layer had a thickness of less than 25 μm to promote a rapid partitioning equilibrium. With DURO-TAK 87-2510 the saturation solubility is 5.2 ± 0.6% w/w when measured after 7 days. With DURO-TAK 87-4098 the saturation solubility is slightly higher, 7.9 ± 0.7% w/w after 7 days. These values remained constant up to approximately 30 days' experimental time. In both cases the acceptor was free of crystalline material at the end of the experiment. This strongly suggests that that equilibrium had been reached between the saturated solution in the acceptor layer and the crystalline drug still present in the donor layer. The addition of light liquid paraffin to the acceptor produced a solubilizing effect with 87-4098 but not 87-2510. We recommend some experimental conditions that we consider to be necessary to achieve a reliable and accurate result with this technique. If performed correctly, it can give a feasible result.