Preformulation considerations Flashcards
Capsules are cheaper to manufacture than tablets. True or false?
False - tablets are cheaper
What is preformulation?
It is the process before formulating a drug where a drug candidate is turned into a drug product and the physio-chemical properties are determined
During preformulation - large amounts of sample are required for analysis to be undertaken. True or false?
False - small amounts of sample required
How can the molecular or intrinsic properties of the inherent drug be modified?
Can only be changed by modifying the structure
What are the molecular properties that can be modified by changing the chemical structure of the drug?
Stability to oxidation, hydrolysis Solubility Hygroscopicity pKa Partition coefficient
Macroscopic/bulk properties can’t be changed. True or false?
False - can be changed and change based on other excipients present
For the final drug to be given orally as a solid form, what solubility is preferred?
10mg/ml
What is hygroscopicity?
The tendency of a substance to attract water from its immediate environment by absorption or adsorption
Does water selectively bind to polar or non-polar regions of a solid surface?
Polar - so the extent of absorption is related to the degree of polarity
Adsorption of water onto most crystalline solids causes the solid to dissolve. True or false?
False - does not cause it to dissolve
Why doesn’t adsorption of water onto crystalline solids cause the solid to dissolve?
Because only a few layers of water molecules adsorb onto the surface so the volume isn’t sufficient enough to allow dissolution
Salts have a greater tendency to absorb water than free acid or base. True or false?
True
How is water uptake usually determined?
Measuring an uptake in mass -
thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)
dynamic vapour sorption (DVS)
What is the enthalpy of fusion?
The change in enthalpy resulting from heating a given quantity of a substance to change its state from solid to liquid
Melting point doesn’t give any information about the purity of a drug. True or false?
False
What technique is used to measure melting point and enthalpy of fusion?
differential scanning calorimetry
Particle size and surface area do not affect dissolution rates. True or false?
False
A scanning electron microscope is used to determine particle size and shape. True or false?
False - a light microscope is used
It’s easy to determine particle size when the particle is spherical. True or false?
True
Particles with a diameter of 50 or less have good flow properties. True or false?
False - poor flow
Why is it important for powders to have good flow properties?
To ensure blend uniformity and optimal filling of tablet presses or capsule filling machines
In preformulation testing, which two measures are used to determine powder flow?
Carr index
Angle of repose
The higher the angle of repose, the better the powder flow. True or false?
False - a high angle of repose is bad, and a low angle of repose is good