Setting dissolution specifications for modified-release dosage forms

Dissolution specifications are used for quality assurance and may also serve as a surrogate for in vivo bioavailability. These limits can guide formulation development and eliminate the need for bioavailability studies for scale up and post approval changes. Several methods for setting dissolution specifications have been reviewed in this chapter. A summary of the advantages and disadvantages for each method can be found in Table 1. When choosing a method for setting dissolution specifications, it is important to 1) have a discriminating dissolution system, 2) incorporate in vivo data, 3) include intersubject variability, and 4) predict plasma concentration-time profiles. Predicting plasma concentration curves allows one to see how the change in formulation or dissolution limits perform in vivo. Dissolution specifications should be set so that all formulations that have dissolution profiles within the limits of the specifications are bioequivalent. This can be assured if the boundaries are tested for bioequivalence. Minimally, the formulations that have dissolution profiles within the limits of the specifications should be bioequivalent to the pivotal batch. A population prediction of the plasma concentration-time profiles for the upper and lower limit would incorporate the true intersubject variability for the formulation.