• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.977-982
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to compare two formulations of film-coated pellets containing c1arithromycin after single oral dose study in healthy male volunteers. Two formulations with different coating polymers were prepared: formulation-1 (F-1) was prepared by incorporating three kinds of pH-dependent gradient-release coated pellets into capsules and formulation-2 (F-2) was prepared by coated with an insoluble semiosmotic film. Release profiles of filmcoated pellets were evaluated using paddle method under different conditions. Pharmacokinetic profiles of these formulations were obtained in three healthy male volunteers and compared to commercially available immediate release (IR) tablets. The relative bioavailability based on the $AUC_{0-24h}$ was found to be $96.2\%\;and\;58.7\%$ for F-1 and F-2 compared with IR, and the $T_{max}$ was delayed.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.spc
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• pp.103-112
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• 2010

Pellets, which are multiple-unit dosage systems, have the several therapeutic advantages over single-unit dosage systems in oral drug delivery. This review focuses on the current status and explores extrusion-spheronization technique with special attention to controlled-release application of pellets including coated pellets for delayed release formulations, coated pellets for colon delivery, coated pellets for sustained drug delivery, sustained-release matrix pellets, pellets compressed into tablets, bioadhesive pellets, floating pellets, and pelletization with solubilization techniques.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.381-385
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• 2008

Isosorbide dinitrate is an oral assiatant therapy agent of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. The objective of this study was to formulate sustained release containing isosorbide dinitrate and assess their formulation variables. Pellets were prepared by fluid bed process and consist of drug layer and membrane layer. The pellets were coated with ethylcellulose along with $5{\sim}15%$ of plasticizer such as triacetin and diethyl butylrate. In vitro evaluation study was performed by comparative dissolution test between test and reference isosorbide dinitrate preparation. We could prepare sustained pellets of isosorbide dinitrate by fluid bed process which were reduced process time and had high content. The pellet coated with 1% ethylcellulose and triacetin(l5%) had a similar dissolution behavior compare to reference isosorbide dinitrate preparation controlling initial dissolution and those of dissolution at 30 min were 17.25 and 17.09%, respectively. Difference factor and similarity factor were $0{\sim}15$ and $50{\sim}100$ and there was no significant difference in bioequivalence between formulations. It might be concluded that our sustained release pellet of isosorbide dinitrate could be an alternatively delivery system to reference drug preparation.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.193-196
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• 2007

This study aimed to evaluate and develop $Eudragit^{(R)}$-coated pellets based on the dissolution using the paddle method. As coating materials, two types of $Eudragit^{(R)}$ were applied to obtain either sustained release form or fast released form. The dissolution test was carried out in phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.5) at $37^{\circ}C$, 100 rpm. In order to develop a sustained release preparation containing felodipine, a comparative dissolution study was done using commercial product as a control. The dissolution at 30 min of felodipine from $Eudragit^{(R)}$ RS or RL-coated pellets were 0.96% and 99.65, respectively. The weight ratio of $Eudragit^{(R)}$ RL pellets to RS pellets altered the dissolution rate, but did not optimize the dissolution rate. However, the sustained dissolution of felodipine from pellets was optimized by varying the coating ratios of $Eudragit^{(R)}$ RS. It is suggested that the coating ratio of pellets is the main factor which controls dissolution rate. Taken together, $Eudragit^{(R)}$ RS 30D-coated pellets showed the most comparable dissolution rate pattern to commercial product, $Splendil^{(R)}$. This sustained release pellets for oral delivery system of felodipine was simply manufactured, and drug release behavior was highly reproducible.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2002

In order to evaluate the effect of poloxamer 407 content on the dissolution profiles of pellets, diltiazem HCl (DTL) core pellets were prepared with poloxamer 407 (50-90% w/w, with lactose as filler) using an extruder and a spheronizer. Any possible interaction between the drug and excipients was evaluated using DSC, IR and TLC. Dissolution tests were performed using USP basket method. In addition, scanning electron micrograph was performed to examine the surface roughness and cross sections. The release of DTL from the core pellets was decreased with increasing poloxamer 407 content. Cracks appeared on the surface of the core pellets with increasing the poloxamer 407 content, which may play a role on the retardation of the release of DTL from core pellets. There was no any significant interaction between the drug and excipients employed to prepare the core pellets.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.445-451
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• 2005

As a selective ${\alpha}_{1A}-adrenoreceptor$ antagonist, tamsulosin has been used clinically for urinary obstructed patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The single and multi-layered pellets containing tamsulosin hydrochloride were prepared in an effort to control the drug release, avoiding dose-dependent side effects of tamsulosin hydrochloride upon oral administration. The drug release from multi-layered pellets was substantially controlled, compared with single layered pellets. The drug release from coated pellets with single or multi layer was affected by the nature of coating agent, the percentage of coating level and the presence of hydrophilic material in coating layer. In conclusion, the controlled release oral delivery system using multi-layered pellet is very useful for tamsulosin hydrochloride, resulting in improvement of patient compliance and therapeutic drug levels for a longer period of time.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.593-599
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• 1995

Erythromycin was formulated as enteric-coated pellets in order to reduce degradation in stomach and gastromtestmal irritation, and to maximize the absorption in intestine followmg its oral administration. Core pellets were prepared using fluid-bed granulator with two different methods (powder layering and solvent spraying) and enteric-coated with two different coating polymers (HPMCP and Eudragit E30D). Physical characteristics md dissolution rates of core pellets and enteric-coated pellets were evaluated to optimize the formulation. Powder layering method resulted in shorter initial dissolution time than solvent spraying method, but physicochmical properties of the product were worse than solvent spraying method with respect to hardness, ftiability and density. The dissolution rate of the drug was increased with the addition of surfactants, showing concentration-dependence. The scanning electron microscopic observation of pellets revealed significant differences on the surface appearances prepared with solvent spraying method. The core pellet made with powder layering method had crystals on the surface, which resulted in poor physical properties of the pellets. The dissolution profiles of erythromycin pellets coated with HPMCP or Eudragit L30D were close to that of commercially available erythromycin enteric-coated product.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2008

The purposes of this study were to prepare dual-layered coated compact pellets containing three nutrients Glucose, Chromium picolinate, Vitamin C) for rumen bypass. The core compact pellets were prepared by an extrusionspheronization method and then double layered coated with pH independent EC (ethyl cellulose) and pH-dependent polymers ($Eudragit^{(R)}$ E100) using a fluid-bed spray coater. Depending on the coating levels of EC and $Eudragit^{(R)}$ E100, release profiles were variable in simulated rumen (pH 6.8) and abomasums (pH 2.0) fluid using USP apparatus I (basket method). When compact pellets were coated with EC (about 10% level in inner layer) and then $Eudragit^{(R)}$ E100 (20% level in outer layer) in a dual-layered manner, rumen-bypass delivery resisting rumen fluid followed by release in abomasums fluid could possible. The friability was also satisfactory based on chewing behavior of ruminants. The dual-layered coated compact pellets showed smooth surface and distinct inner/outer layers using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The current rumen bypass delivery system can be also applicable to deliver other nutrients in ruminants.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.569-574
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• 2003

Controlled-release amitriptyline pellets (ATP) were formulated and its oral bioavailability was assessed in human volunteers after oral administration under fasting conditions. Core pellets were prepared using a CF granulator by two different methods (powder layering and solvent spraying) and coated with Eudragit RS or RL 100. Physical characteristics and dissolution rates of core pellets and coated pellets were evaluated to optimize the formulation. Powder layering method resulted in a better surface morphology than solvent spraying method. However, physical properties of the products were poorer when prepared by powder layering method with respect to hardness, friability and density. The dissolution profile of amitriptyline coated with Eudragit RS 100 was comparable to that of commercially available amitriptyline enteric-coated pellets ($Saroten^{\circledR}$ retard). After the oral administration of both products at the dose of 50 mg, the mean maximum concentrations ($C_{max}$) were 36.4 and 29.7 ng/mL, and the mean areas under the concentration-time curve ($AUC_{0-96}$) were 1180.2 and 1010.7 ng.h/mL for ATP and Saroten retard, respectively. The time to reach the maximum concentrations ($T_{max}$) was 6 h for both formulations. Statistical evaluation suggested that ATP was bioequivalent to Saroten retard.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.48-59
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• 1997

Sustained release matrix tablets, pellets, and coated pellets for the delivery of sulindac were prepared using cellulose derivatives at various ratios, and evaluated for the dis solution pattern. The release of sulindac, from matrix tablets prepared with low viscosity HPMC was relatively fast, and especially the tablets made of Metolose SM released all of sulindac within 1 hr. The release of drug from tablets made of other HPMC derivatives were retarded in the order of the following: Pharmacoat 645>Pharmacoat 606>Pharrnacoat 606+HPC-L>HPC-L. The most sustained release pattern was observed with the preparation of high viscous polymer. Metolose 90 SH. While release of sulindac, from matrix type pellet containing 10mg/cap of Metolose 90 SH or 60 SH was completed within 1 hr, a prolonged release formulation (30% in 1 hr) was obtained by the inclusion of EC. Pellets coated with HPMC showed a fast release pattern (${\geq}$ 80% within 2 hrs), whereas pellets coated with HPMC and EC (molar ratio 1 : 1) showed a sustained release pattern (${\geq}$ 80% in 12 hrs), vath the release from EC pellets being the most sustained. Fast (naked) and slow release pellets coated with EC, Metolose 60SH 50cps and propylene glycol. and enteric pellets coated with HPMCP 55 and Myvacet$^{\circledR}$ were prepared, and combined at various ratios for the assessment of dissolution pattern. The result indicates the possibility that the development of 24 hr sustained release delivery systems containing sulindac for oral administration could be achieved by means of combining sustained and fast release pellets at a proper portion.