• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to use a ternary polymeric matrix system for high drug loading of a highly soluble drug for controlled release delivery. The controlled drug delivery of diltiazem HCl (solubility > 50% in water at $25^{\circ}C$) with high loading dose (the final loading dose of drug was 34%) from a ternary polymeric matrix (gelatin, pectin, HPMC) was successfully accomplished. This simple monolithic system with 240 mg drug loading provided near zero-order release over a 24 hour-period by which time the system was completely dissolved. The release kinetics of diltiazem HCl tablet with high loading dose from the designed ternary polymeric system was dependent on the ratios of HPMC : pectin binary mixture. The release rate increased as pectin : HPMC ratio were increased. Swelling behavior of the ternary system and the ionic interaction of formulation components with cationic diltiazem molecule appear to control drug diffusion and the release kinetics. Comparable release profiles between commercial product and the designed system were obtained. The binding study between gelatin with diltiazem HCl showed the presence of two binding sites for drug interaction with subsequent controlled diffusion upon swelling. This designed delivery system is easy to manufacture and drug release behavior is highly reproducible and offers advantages over the existing commercial product.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 1996

To develop oral controlled release dosage forms, ionic interactions between polymers and drugs were evaluated. Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and carboxymethylene were used as model nonionic and ionic polymers, respectively. 5-fluorouracil, propranolol-HCl and sodium salicylate were selected as model nonionic, cationic and anionic, respectively. Polymer-drug mixtures were compressed into tablets and drug release kinetics from these tablets were determined. Drug release from the tablets made of the nonionic polymer was not affected by the charge of drugs, rather, was regulated by the solubility of drugs in different pH releasing media. However, drug release kinetics were significantly affected when drug-polymer ionic interactions exist. Enhanced drug release was observed from anionic drug-anionic polymer tablets due to ionic repulsion, whereas drug release was retarded in cationic drug-anionic polymer tablets owing to ionic attractive force. Therefore, the results suggested that the polymer-drug interactions are important factors in designing controlled release dosage forms.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.377-382
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• 1990

The characteristics controlled drug release have been studied for biodegradable polymer matrix. Polymer matrix was prepared from glycerine, prednisolone and dextran. Mathematical analysis of the data showed that the release behavior actually conformed to the Higuchi's diffusion controlled model. The release time was increased as drug loading doses increased, whereas decreased as glycerine concentration increased. The release rate did not change by varying molecular weight of dextran.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 1990

In order to develop a controlled-release oral drug delivery system (DDS) which sustains the plasma acetaminophen (AAP) concentration for a certain period of time, microporous membrane-coated tablets were prepared and evaluated in vitro. Firstly, highly water-soluble core tablet of AAP were prepared with various formulations by wet granulation and compression technique. Then the core tablets were coated with polyvinychloride (PVC) in which micronized sucrose particles were dispersed. Effect of formula compositions of core tablets and coating suspensions on the pharmaceutical characteristics such as drug release kinetics and membrane stability of the coated tablets was investigated in vitro. AAP was released from the coated tablets as a zero-order rate in a pH-independent manner. This independency of AAP release to pH change from 1.2 to 7.2 is favorable for the controlled oral drug delivery, since it will produce a constant drug release in the stomach and intestine regardless of the pH change in the GI tract. Drug release could be extended upto 10 h according to the coating condition. The release rate could be controlled by changing the formula compositions of the core tablets and coating suspensions, coat weight per each tablet, and especially PVC/sucrose ratio and particle size of the sucrose in the coating suspension. The coated tablets prepared in this study had a fairly good pharmaceutical characteristics in vitro, however, overall evaluation of the coated tablet should await in vivo absorption study in man.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.145-154
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• 1989

Methyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate copolymer (MMBM)-povidone (PVP) films were investigated as a potential topical drug delivery system for the controlled release of econazole nitrate as a model drug. The effect of changes in film composition, drug concentration, film thickness, pH and temperature of release medium on the in vitro release of econazole nitrate were studied. The release rate constant was found to be increased with increasing povidone content in dry films. Drug release followed zero-order kinetics in the initial stage and then release rate increased gradually with time, espicially in the films having larger proportions of PVP. The release rate was found to be dependent on drug content, film thickness, the pH and temperature of release medium. Antimicrobial test showed that microbial growth was inhibited markedly with increasing proportions of PVP in films. Also drug content and film thickness affected the antimicrobial activity.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.343-348
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to prepare the controlled release adhesive patch containing naproxen. Pressuresensitive adhesive (PSA)-type patch was fabricated by casting of polyisobutylene (PIE.) and mineral oil in toluene. Membrane-controlled release (MCR)-type patch was prepared by the attachment of the controlled release membrane on the PSAtype patch. The membrane was mainly composed of Eudragit, polyethylene glycol(PEG) and glycerin. The drug release profile and skin permeation test with various patches were evaluated in vitro. The release of naproxen from PIE-based PSAtype patch with various loading doses fitted Higuchi's diffusion equation. However, the permeation of naproxen through hairless mouse skin from PSA-type patch followed zero-order kinetics. In MCR-type patch, thickness of controlled release membrane affected on the drug release rate highly. In the composition of membrane, the release rate was decreased as the ratio of Eudragit increased. The drug release from the MCR-type patch followed zero order kinetics. The permeation of naproxen through hairless mouse skin from MCR-type patch showed lag time for the intial release period and didn't fit the zero-order kinetics

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.173-178
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• 1989

Drug release rates from copolymer hydrogels were controlled by their hydrophilic-hydrophobic balances. As a model copolymer hydrogel, poly(acrylamide-co-styrene) was synthesized at different monomer composition. Release mechanisms of propranolol-HCI from the copolymer matrices were investisated. Swelling rates of the copolymer hydrogels retarded as their hydrophobicity increased. Swelling kinetics of the copolymer hydrogels regulated drug release rates via polymer relaxation controlled release mechanisms. Zero order drug release could thus be achieved within certain periods.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.645-650
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• 1998

The dual drug-loaded alginate beads simultaneously containing drug in inner and outer layers were prepared by dropping plain (single-layered) alginate beads into $CaCl_2$ solution. The release characteristics were evaluated in simulated gastric fluid for 2 h followed by intestinal fluids thereafter for 12 h. The surface morphology and cross section of dual drug-loaded alginate beads was also investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The poorlv water-soluble ibuprofen was chosen as a model drug. The surface of single-layered and dual drug-loaded alginate beads showed very crude and roughness, showing aggregated particles, surface cracks and rough crystals. The thickness of dual drug-loaded alginate beads surrounded by outer layer was ranged from about 57 to 329mcm. The distinct chasm between inner and outer layers was also observed. In case of single-layered alginate bead, the drug was not released in gastric fluid but was largely released in intestinal fluid. However, the release rate decreased as the reinforcing $Eudragit^{\circledR}$ polymer contents increased. When the plasticizers were added into polymer, the release rate largely decreased. The release rate of dual drug-loaded alginate beads was stable in gastric fluid for 2 h but largely increased when switched in intestinal fluid. The drug linearly released for 4 h followed by another linear release thereafter, showing a distinct biphasic release characteristics. There was a difference in the release profiles between single-layered and dual drug-loaded alginate beads due to their structural shape. However, this biphasic release profiles were modified by varying formulation compositions of inner and outer layer of alginate beads. The release rate of dual drug-loaded alginate beads slightly decreased when the outer layer was reinforced with $Eudragit^{\circledR}$ RS1OO polymers. In case of dual drug-loaded alginate beads with polymer-reinforced outer layer only, the initial amount of druc released was low but the initial release rate (slope) was higher due to more swellable inner cores when compared to polymer-reinforced inner cores. The current dual drug-loaded alginate beads may be used to deliver the drugs in a time dependent manner.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 1993

The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible applicability of alginate beads as an oral controlled release system of polymeric drugs. Cellulase was used as a model polymeric drug. The release of cellulase from alginate beads was moderately affected by the ratio of cellulase to sodium alginate and strongly affected by $CaCl_2$ concentration. However, the release was not particularly affected by the other factors such as sodium alginate concentration and curing time. The drug was not released from alginate beads at pH 1.2, but was released continuously up to 8 hr at pH 6.8. At pH 6.8, the beads were swollen highly up to 3 hr, thereafter, were eroded into the bulk solution up to 6 hr, completely. Drug release from the beads can be caused due to diffusion and erosion of the matrix. Activity of cellulase was reduced when alginate beads containing cellulase were stored in simulated gastric juice. Further investigation would be necessary to improve the acid resistance of the beads. Since the release of cellulase as a model polymeric drug could be controlled by the regulation of the preparation conditions of alginate beads, the alginate beads may be used for a potential oral controlled release system of such polymeric drugs as polypeptide drugs.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2006

Tamsulosin or a salt thereof such as its hydrochloride salt has been known to have an adrenaline ${\alpha}$ receptor blocking action for urethra and prostate areas. It has been widely used as a drug which lowers the prostate pressure and improves urinary disturbance accompanied by prostate-grand enlargement, thus for the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia. To avoid dose-dependent side effects of tamsulosin upon oral administration, the development of sustained-release delivery system is essentially required, that can maintain therapeutic drug levels for a longer period of time. The aim of this study was therefore to formulate sustained-release tamsulosin granules and assess their formulation variables. We designed entric coated sustained-release tamsulosin granules for this purpose. Nano-pores in the outer controlled release membrane were needed in order to obtain initial tamsulosin release even in an acidic environment such as gastric region. In our sustained release osmotic granule system, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose in a drug-containing layer was used as a rate controller. The drug-containing granules were coated with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) and Eudragit, along with glycerol triacetate as an aqueous nano-pore former. The release of tamsulosin depended heavily on the type of Eudragit such as RS, RL, NE 30D, used in the formulation of controlled release layer. These results obtained clearly suggest that the sustained-release oral delivery system for tamsulosin could be designed with satisfying drug release profile approved by the Korean Food and Drug Administration.