Parenteral drug delivery Flashcards
define parenteral drug delivery
administration of drugs that bypasses the GI tract
How can you achieve rapid drug delivery for IM and SC delivery?
If the drugs are administered in aqueous solution, drug delivery can be quite rapid
rapid drug absorption by parenteral admin is normally followed by what?
Followed by a rapid decline in drug levels in the systemic circulation
Describe continuous IV infusion
A constant and sustained drug level within therapeutic concentration range is maintained
Significance of Charles Pravez and Alexander Wood
Invented the modern hypodermic needle in 1853
Describe SC injections
done directly into a fatty skin area. Slower absorption
Injection advantages
- fast onset
- complete/better absorption
- predictable outcomes
- drug targeting
Injection disadvantages
- short duration of action
- invasive administration
- poor patient compliance
- hospital visits
- high cost
Describe one of the most successful parenteral formulations
The depot preparation
- can be either an aqueous (or oleaginous) suspension or an oleaginous (lipid soluble) solution
- depot acts as a drug reservoir that releases the drug molecules continuously at a rate determined by the characteristics of the formulation
- leads to prolonged drug absorption from the formulation
Advantage of controlled-release depot injections
- reduced drug dose
- decreased SE’s
- enhanced patient compliance
- improved therapeutic outcomes
Disadvantage of depot injections
Same as injections in general, which is invasiveness and painfulness
Depot injections should be administered by a HCP to obtain optimal therapy and safety: T/F
True.
Give 4 examples of depot products
1) depo-Medrol: a glucocorticoid sterile aqueous suspension for IM admin
2) Depo-Provera: progestogen for contraceptive control. Is a sterile aqueous suspension.
3) Modecate: an antipsychotic oleaginous solution injection
4) Norplant: contraceptive implant requiring subdermal incision
List the 4 categories commonly used approaches in the devl of parenteral CR/SR formulations. Briefly describe each
1) Physical: viscosity, co-solvents, adsorption
2) chemical: insoluble salts/esters, prodrugs
3) biological: vasoconstrictors
4) Formulation: emulsions, suspensions, liposomes, microparticles
Describe 7 commonly used techniques in the devl of parenteral CR/SR formulations
1) Use of viscous, water-miscible vehicles, such as an aqueous sol’n of gelatin and PVP
2) Use of water-insoluble vehicles (eg: veg oils) plus a water-repelling agent (Al monostearate)
3) Formation of thixotropic suspensions
4) Use of water-insoluble drug derivatives, such as salts, complexes, and esters
5) Formation of polymeric microspheres or microcapsules, such as lactide-glycolide copolymers
6) Formation of liposomes
7) Co-admin. of vasoconstrictors
List 3 modes of parenteral drug delivery
- IV (intravenous)
- IM (intramuscular)
- SC (subcutaneous)
List the 4 different drug release mechanisms seen with depot parenteral formulations
1) dissolution-controlled depot
2) adsorption-type depot
3) encapsulation-type depot
4) esterification-type depot
Drug release mechanism (MODR) of a dissolution-controlled depot
Drug absorption rate is controlled by the slow dissolution of drug particles in the formulation or in the tissue fluid surrounding the formulation. Selection of salts or complexes with low aqueous solubility or formulation of macrocrystal suspensions will produce desired characteristics
Major drawback of dissolution-controlled depot
Drug release is not zero-order, as is normally expected from theoretical calculations.
What 2 reasons might explain why dissolution-controlled depots may not release drugs in zero-order rates?
1) the surface area of the drug particles diminishes with time because of increased drug dissolution
2) the saturation solubility of the drug at injection site can’t be easily maintained because of rapid absorption
Using the example of testosterone depot admin, describe the effect of particle size on rooster comb growth
- the smaller particle sizes were absorbed faster and thus had a faster onset, but had a shorter DOA. They also were associated with reaching higher therapeutic plasma drug concentrations.
- larger particle sizes took longer to be absorbed, but had a longer DOA
Briefly summarize dissolution depots
- salts and complexes with low solubility
- suspensions of microcrystals
- slow drug dissolution from formulation nor into biological fluid
- dissolution could be alone or in combination with a vehicle
Describe the MODR of adsorption-type depots
The depot preparation is formed by binding drug molecules to adsorbends such as AlOH gel. Only unbound free drug is available for absorption. As soon as the unbound drug molecules are absorbed, a fraction of the bound drug is released to MAINTAIN EQUILIBRIUM
Why might some vaccines be given as an adsorption-type depot?
Use this mechanism to sustain drug release and hence prolong the duration of stimulation of antibody formation
MODR for encapsulation-type depots
This depot preparation is made by encapsulating drug solids within a permeation barrier or dispersing drug particles in a diffusion matrix. These materials are biodegradable or bioabsorbable macromolecules. The release rate is controlled by permeation rate of the barriers or by the biodegradation rate of the macromolecules [aka release is controlled by barrier permeation or biodegradation]
Encapsulation depots consist of what
microcapsules, microparticles, liposomes, nanoparticles
List materials that encapsulation depot barriers might be made of
Biodegradable or bioabsorbable macromolecules such as gelatin, dextran, polylactate, phospholipids.
MODR of esterification-type depots
This formulation is produced by esterifying the drug to form a bioconvertible prodrug ester and then preparing it as an injectable. The drug absorption rate is controlled by the interfacial partitioning of drug esters from the reservoir to the tissue fluid, and the bioconversion of inactive drug esters to active drug molecules.
Why are emulsions being increasingly used over aqueous/oleaginous solutions for parenteral injections?
Because of their ability to incorporate drugs within the internal phase, resulting in better solubility and stability. Emulsions may also be used for site-specific delivery.
How can injectable emulsions be controlled or sustained release?
Since the drug is not in direct contact with the body fluid, the partitioning of the drug from the internal to the external phase may contribute to a sustained drug release profile
A more prolonged drug delivery can be achieved through the use of multiple emulsions (W/O/W, O/W/O): T/F
True
most commonly used oil in emulsions
natural veggie sources of long chain triglycerides (LCTs) like soybean oil and safflower oil
How can you purify veg oils to be used for injection?
treatment with silicic acid or silica gel to remove undesirable components such as peroxides, pigments, thermal and oxidative decomposition products.
Natural oils have to be checked for what
presence of aflatoxins, herbicides, and pesticides
Emulsifiers are common agents added to injectable emulsions: T/F
false. Parenteral toxicity has eliminated many emulsifying agents that might be used in emulsions. Can lead to hemolytic reactions
What is the most frequently used emulsifier used in injectable emulsions (when appropriate). What makes it a good choice?
Natural lecithin. It is metabolized in the same way as fat and is not excreted via the kidneys
Most phosphatide emulsions are very unstable: T/F
False. Some are very stable; resisting hydrolysis and oxidation if processed under inert atmosphere
Why are additives to the aqueous phase required in parenteral emulsions?
emulsified oil exerts no osmotic effect, and we want to produce isotonic conditions in parenterals
What parameters do we want to adjust or control in emulsions?
- osmolarity
- pH
- oxidation
- microbial growth
T/F: most parenteral emulsions are multiple emulsions (ex: have W/O/W) because they’re more stable
False. Most are microemulsions
Why should you not add NaCl, Glc, and dextrose to the aqueous phase of emulsions
they interact with the emulsifier
What is a good additive to the aqueous phase to produce isotonic conditions in parenterals?
glycerol
Most stable pH range of emulsions
6.6-6.8
Why might you add an antioxidant to an injectable emulsion?
to prevent peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids
Optimal stability of emulsions is largely dependent on what?
pH
Why do we adjust the pH of emulsions to be 8 prior to sterilization?
Optimal pH is from 6.6-6.8, but the pH or the formulation falls upon autoclaving and during storage when the hydrolysis of glyceride and phosphatide produces FFA’s. We are adjusting for it.
What do we use to adjust emulsion pH to 8?
sodium hydroxide
Why is pH so important in emulsions?
need to maintain desired particle size. pH affects the surface charge of particles, and a low pH (<5) can reduce electrostatic repulsion btw emulsified oil particles, resulting in particle aggregation.
Side effects of injectable emulsions
- Emboli in lung/liver/kidney/brain
- headache
- fever/chillls
- BP change
- liver damage
Particle sizer greater than 10um increase the incidence of emboli and BP changes in injectable emulsions: T/F
F. Particle sizes greater than 4-6um cause those AE’s.
T/F: smaller particle size (200-500nm) for fat emulsions leads to formulations with highest physical stability
True
T/F: increasing oil concentration in an emulsion by >10% can significantly increase the particle size
True
What are physicochemical requirements for injectable emulsions?
- stability
- uniformity
- sterility
What are biological requirements for injectable emulsions?
- endotoxin-free
- non-antigenic
- low side effects
- metabolizable
What are practical requirements for injectable emulsions?
- storage tolerance
- easy processing
- reasonable cost
Components of emulsions: List the different possibilities for each ingredient: Oil phase, aqueous phase, emulsifiers, Additives
- Oil phase: soybean oil, safflower oil
- Aqueous phase: water
- Emulsifiers: lecithins
- Other additives: for pH, osmolarity (glycerol), oxidation (antioxidants like ascorbic acid), prevention of microbial growth
What role does surface charge play in the stability of emulsions
Ionized lipids have a favorable effect on emulsion particle size and stability through an increse in the surface charge and bilayer thickness of phospholipid films. A reduction in electrical charge can lead to flocculation.
Define flocculation
Fine particles are caused to clump together, forming a floc
Stability of emulsions can be influenced by what?
- processing conditions
- autoclaving
- storage conditions
- excessive shaking
- addition of electrolytes or drugs
Physical instability of an emulsion is indicated by what
- particle size changes
- flocculation
- creaming
- coalescence
- oil separation
Chemical instability of an emulsion is indicated by what
- oxidation or hydrolysis of the oil or emulsifier
- change in pH
- increase in FFA content
- rancidity of the oil
What does exposure to excessive heat or extreme cold do to an emulsion? (think stability)
Freezing: can result in increased oil droplet size
Heat: accelerated hydrolytic degradation
Emulsions stored under nitrogen and not exposed to direct sunlight are likely to exhibit oxidative degradation: T/F
False. They are UNlikely to exhibit oxidative degradation when stored this way.
Microfluidization
The process of forcing the emulsion through a filter to make sure we are only getting products of a certain size. The filter will catch particles who’s size is too large.
The more you run an emulsion through a filter, the smaller the particle size you will end up with: T/F
True.
Emulsions with particles ranging from 3-5um are utilized more rapidly by the body than emulsions with 0.5-1.0um particles: T/F
False. Is the opposite.
Production of emulsions
- Start by treating the oil and water phases separately
1) filter the oil phase. All you need to do
2) Mix water and any tonicity agents/additives with the emulsifier selected. Adjust the pH, homogenize, and filter this solution
3) Mix the oil and “water” phases together
4) disperse and homogenize the emulsion
5) Do the final pH adjustment (to 8) of the product and filter it.
6) Pour emulsion into a container, seal, and sterilize
Quality control: ideal particle size for injectable emulsions
0.2-0.5um (or can say 0.5-1.0um)
Higher surface charge is preferable for the emulsions to be most stable: T/F
True