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Published on: February 3, 2023
Mefenamic acid solid dispersions: Impact of formulation composition on processing parameters, product properties and
Elke Prasad1, John Robertson1, Gavin W Halbert1
1EPSRC Future Manufacturing Research Hub in Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallisation, University of Strathclyde, Technology and Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD, UK; Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
Developing immediate release Mefenamic acid (MFA) crystalline solid dispersions (CSD) via hot-melt extrusion (HME) showed drug loading impacts process and product performance. Higher MFA loading improved CSD consistency, while lower loading yielded faster drug release.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Materials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Mefenamic acid (MFA) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with poor aqueous solubility.
- Developing immediate release (IR) formulations is crucial for enhancing drug efficacy.
- Hot-melt extrusion (HME) is a promising technique for creating solid dispersions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an immediate release (IR) crystalline solid dispersion (CSD) of Mefenamic acid (MFA) using hot-melt extrusion (HME).
- To investigate the impact of drug loading on process parameters, physico-chemical properties, and performance of MFA CSD formulations.
- To establish relationships between drug loading, API solubility, and formulation characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Hot-melt extrusion (HME) was employed to create Mefenamic acid (MFA)-Soluplus®-Sorbitol polymer matrix CSD formulations.
- Rheological screening of physical mixtures (PM) guided HME process development.
- Drug loading was varied to create sub-saturated, saturated, and supersaturated systems.
- Physico-chemical properties and product performance were assessed at different drug loadings.
Main Results:
- CSD formulations with 20-50% (w/w) MFA loading were successfully produced, yielding the stable polymorphic form I.
- Higher drug loading (20-50%) in CSD formulations improved product performance consistency.
- An Amorphous Solid Dispersion (ASD) at 10% (w/w) MFA loading demonstrated accelerated drug release, even at physiological pH.
Conclusions:
- Drug loading significantly influences HME process parameters and the resulting CSD product characteristics.
- Understanding maximum API solubility in polymer systems is key for targeted formulation development.
- HME-based CSD offers a viable strategy for developing improved immediate-release formulations of poorly soluble drugs like MFA.
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