Pre Formulation and Formulation Flashcards
(114 cards)
What is pre-formulation?
Pre-formulation is the stage in drug an dosage form development before formulation proper
It aims at optimising the drug candidate into a drug product.
The physicochemical properties of all drug candidates are determined and each showing activity towards to the biological target: the best one will be developed in a drug product
Pre-formulation data is used to:
- Decide which drug candidate will be the easiest to formulate
- Determine the most appropriate dosage form
- Highlight issues with processing
Physicochemical properties are divided in two categories:
- Intrinsic/molecular properties i.e. inherent properties of the molecule and can only be modified by chemical modification (e.g. solubility)
- Derived/macroscopic properties are related to the bulk behaviour e.g. intermolecular interactions.
Intrinsic property examples:
- Solubility
- pKa
- logP
- Hygroscopicity
- Stability
Technique and sample requirement for solubility:
- UV Vis spectrophotometry
- chromophore
Technique and sample requirement for pKa:
Technique :
- UV Vis spectrophotometry
- Potentiometric titrations
Sample requirement:
- Acid or base group
Technique and sample requirement for log P:
Technique :
- UV Vis spectrophotometry
- TLC, HPLC
Sample requirement:
- chromophore
Technique and sample requirement for hygroscopicity:
Technique :
- Dynamic vapour sorption
- Thermogravimetric analysis
Sample requirement: n/a
Technique and sample requirement for stability:
Technique :
- HPLC, and suitable storage conditions
Sample requirement: n/a
Examples of derived/macroscopic properties:
- Melting point
- Enthalpy of fusion
- Physical forms (e.g. polymorphs)
- Particles size, shape, morphology
- Density bulk, tapped, true
- Flow
- Compressibility
- Excipients compatibility
Melting point technique assay:
DSC or melting point apparatus
Enthalpy of fusion technique assay:
DSC
Physical forms (e.g. polymorphs) technique assay:
DSC, XRPD, microscopy
Particles size, shape, morphology technique assay:
Microscopy, particle sizing
Density technique assay:
Densitometer
Flow assay technique:
Angle of repose
Compressibility assay technique:
Carr’s index
Excipients compatibility assay technique:
HPLC, DSC
Toxicity and bioavailability data in animal models require what solubility?
a solubility > 1mg/mL.
In all solubility determinations:
- The solvent and solute must be pure
- A saturated solution must be obtained before analysis
- Separation of sample of saturated solution from undissolved material must be satisfactory
- Temperature must be adequately controlled
- Method for analysing the solution must be accurate and reliable
- Solute concentration can be determined by UV spectrometry, chromatography (e.g. HPLC) or gravimetric analysis
Determination of log P techniques:
- Shake flask method
- Chromatographic methods e.g. reversed phase TLC or reversed phase HPLC
Ways of modifying the solubility:
Molecular structure of the solute:
- Small change in structure e.g. introduction of a hydrophilic group, may improve the solubility by up to 100 fold
- Reduction of aqueous solubility of a parent drug by esterification
- Masking the taste
- Protection form extensive degradation in the GI tract
Nature of the solvent:
- Use of co-solvents (e.g. ethanol, PEG)
- Using co-solvent for metronidazole make it suitable for parental administration
Most common counter ions for salt selection:
Cation: potassium, sodium, zinc, calcium
Anion: hydrochloride, sulfate, chloride, phosphate
Disadvantages of salt form?
- Decreased percentage of active ingredient
- Increased hygroscopicity
- Decreased chemical stability
- Increased number of polymorphs
- Reduced dissolution in gastric media
- No change in solubility in buffers
- Corrosiveness
- Possible disproportionation
- Additional manufacturing step
- Increased toxicity