Physico chemical
factors in
Preformulation study
PREFORMULATION Teaching Team
Dept. Of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology
Faculty of Pharmacy
Padjadjaran State University
23/09/2009
PAPER-90101 NITU/M.PHARM/2009-10/LMCP
PREFORMULATION
study
It is a phase of research and
development in which formulation
scientist characterize physical &
chemical properties of new drug
molecule in order to develop safe,
effective, and stable dosage form.
2
DIRECT BENEFITS
* Gives direction for development of
formulation in choice of dosage form,
excipients, composition, physical structure.
* Helps in adjustment of Pharmacokinetics
and biopharmaceutical properties.
* Support for process development of drug
substance (yield,filtration..).
* Produce necessary and useful data for
development of analytical methods.
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Receive new drug
substance
Obtain all available
information
Determine physical
property of the new API.
Macroscopic and
Microscopic examination
Determine polymorphs,
solvates and hydrates.
Determine their
solubility, partition coefficient, pKa,
dissolution rate.
If not available, do the
literature search.
If poor bioavailability test results due to
solubility, pKa, P, etc. make new salt or ester
If satisfactory
Select most stable,
active form for
bioavailability testing.
Stability testing at
normal and
exaggerated
condition.
Check lot to lot
uniformity
Check API stability
with excipients
Prepare worksheet and final
preformulation report and issue
to product development dept.
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4
Methods for determination of
Physicochemical properties
According to USFDA it can be characterized
as:
Melting point (hot stage microscopy).
IR spectroscopy.
XRD.
Thermal analytical technique.
Solid state Raman spectroscopy.
Crystalline index of refraction.
Phase solution analysis.
Solution calorimetery.
Comparative intrinsic dissolution rate.
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I. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
A. A. BULK CHARACTERISTIC
i. Particle Size & Surface Area.
ii. Polymorphism.
iii. Crystallinity.
iv. Hygroscopicity.
v. Flow properties & Bulk density.
vi. Compressibility.
vii. Drug-Excipient Compactibility.
viii.Electrostatic charge.
ix. Osmolarity.
x. Rheology.
xi. Wettability.
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B. SOLUBILITY ANALYSIS
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Aqueous Solubility.
a. Intrinsic solubility.
b. Ionization constant.
Solubilization.
Partition Coefficient.
Thermal effect.
Common ion effect.
Dissolution.
C. STABILITY ANALYSIS
1) Solid State Stability.
2) Solution State Stability.
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i. II. CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTIC
1) Oxidation.
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Hydrolysis.
Photolysis.
Racemization.
Polymerization.
Isomerization.
Decarboxylation.
Enzyme Decomposition.
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AQUEOUS SOLUBILITY:There are two fundamental properties mandatory for a new
(A) INTRINSIC SOLUBILITY (CO) :S = So {1 + (K1 / [H+])} ------ for weak acids.
S = So {1 + ([H+] / K2)} ------ for weak bases.
where, S = Solubility at a given pH.
So = Intrinsic solubility of the neutral form.
K1 = Dissociation constant of weak acid.
K2 = Dissociation constant of weak base.
Contd
The intrinsic solubility should ideally be measured at
two temperatures
(1) 4 C
To ensure physical and chemical stability.
(2) 37C
To support biopharmaceutical evaluation.
Method to determine solubility
(1) Equilibrium solubility method
(2) Turbidometric solubility method
(3) Nephlometric solubility method
(4) Ultrafiltration LC/MS solubility method
(5) Direct solubility method
(6) NRTL SAC method
(7) COSMO SAC method
Solubility parameter is used to design dry suspension of cefaclor
as a dual pack system.
(IJPS)
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(B) Ionization constant (pKa):
75 % of all drugs are weak bases,
20 % are weak acids and only,
5 % are nonionic amphoteric or alcohol.
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:pH = pKa + log [ionized form] / [unionized form] --- for acids.
pH = pKa + log [unionized form] / [ionized form] --- for bases.
Uses of these equations:-
To determine pKa.
To predict solubility at any pH provided that Co & pKa
are known.
To facilitate the selection of suitable salt forming
compounds.
To predict the solubility & pH properties of the salts.
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Methods to determine pKa:Potentiometric method.
Conductivity method.
Dissolution rate method.
Liquid-Liquid partition method.
Spectrophotometric method.
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SOLUBILIZATION
Many different approaches have been developed to improve
drug solubility:
Micronization:Eg. Griseofulvin shows increased solubility by reducing
particle size.
Change in pH:Eg. Solubility of Nimesulide increases as pH is increased.
Eg.Arginine increases solubility of coumarins.
Eg. Etoposide formulation is difficult because of its poor
solubility & labile chemical stability so Etoposide loaded
emulsion (ELE) is formulated most stable at pH 4-5.
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Cosolvency:Addition of a water miscible solvent can often improve the
solubility of a weak electrolyte or non-polar compound in
water by altering the polarity of the solvent.
Limited choice due to possible toxicity & irritancy.
Ideally suitable : Dielectric constant (near to 80).
Water / ethanol : Most widely used system.
Solubilization by surfactant:Eg. Gelucire 44/14 is a surface active excipient that can
solubilize poorly soluble drug.
Eg. Anionic & cationic surfactants exhibited dramatically
higher solubilization for gliclazide, while nonionic surfactants
showed significantly lower solubilizing ability.
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Complexation:Eg. The complexation of iodine with 10-15% PVP can
improve aq. solubility of active agent.
Formation of Inclusion Compound:Enhanced solubilty of oxicams through inclusion of cyclodextrin and its dvts.
Eg. The enhancement of solubilization increased 300 fold
for Nimodipine at a polymer conc. 10% by use of water
soluble dendrimer based on polyglycerol.
Use of Metastable polymorphs:Eg. B form of Chloramphenicol palmitate is more water
soluble than A & C forms.
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PARTITION COEFFICIENT:When a solute is added to two immiscible liquids it will
distribute itself between the two phases in a fixed ratio, which is
referred to as partition or distribution coefficient.
Various organic solvents used in determination of partition
coefficient include Chloroform, ether, amyl acetate, etc.
In formulation development, the n-octanol/water partition
coefficient is commonly used.
P = (Concentration of drug in octanol) ---- For unionizable drugs.
(Concentration of drug in water)
P = (Concentration of drug in octanol) ---- For ionizable drugs.
(1-)*(Conc. of drug in water)
where = degree of ionization.
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P>1
P<1
Lipophilic drug.
Hydrophilic drug.
Methods to determine P:Shake Flask Method.
Chromatographic Method (TLC, HPLC).
Counter Current & Filter Probe method.
Applications of P:Measure of lipophilic character of molecules.
Recovery of antibiotics from fermentation broth.
Extraction of drug from biological fluid
Absorption of drug from dosage forms.
Study of distribution of flavoring oil between oil & water
in emulsion.
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THERMAL EFFECT:Effect of temperature on the solubility of drug can be
determined by measuring heat of solution. (Hs).
ln S = -Hs/R*T + C
where, S = Molar solubility at temperature T (K).
R = Gas constant.
Heat of solution represents the heat released or absorbed when
a mole of solute is dissolved in a large quantity of solvent.
Typical temp. range should include 5C, 25C, 37C & 50C.
Importance: Determination of temperature effect on
solubility helps in predicting storage condition & dosage
form designing.
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COMMON ION EFFECT: To identify a common ion interaction the IDR of HCl salt
should be compared between
a) Water & water containing 1.2% W/V NaCl.
b) 0.05 M HCl & 0.9% NaCl in 0.05 M HCl.
Both saline media contains 0.2 M Cl which is typically
encountered in fluids in vivo.
DISSOLUTION
The absorption of solid drugs administered orally can be
understood by following flowchart.
Kd
Ka
Drug in
Solution
Absorption systemic
Solid drugsDissolution
in GI fluid
of drug in
GI fluid
circulation
when Kd<<<<Ka, absorption is dissolution rate limited.
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Dissolution rate can affect:
Onset of action
Intensity of action.
Duration of response.
Control the overall Bioavailability of drug form.
Dissolution is to
be considered of 2 types:
Intrinsic dissolution
Noyes-Whitney equation:
To predict if absorption would be dissolution rate limited or
not.
dC/dt = AD(Cs-C) / hv
Method to determine intrinsic dissolution: Rotating disk method or Woods apparatus:
For determination of dissolution from constant surface area.
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Particulate dissolution
Determine the dissolution of solids at different surface area.
It is used to study the influence on dissolution of particle size,
surface area & mixing with excipients.
STABILITY ANALYSIS
Development of a drug substance into a suitable dosage form
requires the preformulation stability studies as:
[1] Solid state stability.
[2] Solution state stability.
SOLID STATE STABILITY: Solid state reactions are much slower & more difficult to
interpret than solution state reactions because of reduced no. of
molecular contacts between drug & excipient molecules &
occurrence of multiple reactions.
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Techniques for solid state stability studies:
Solid State NMR Spectroscopy. (SSNMR)
Powder X-ray diffraction. (PXRD)
Fourier Transform IR. (FTIR)
Raman Spectroscopy.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry. (DSC).
Thermo gravimetric Analysis. (TGA).
Dynamic Vapor Sorption. (DSV).
SOLUTION STATE STABILITY:The primary objective is identification of conditions
necessary to form a stable solution.
These studies include the effects of
- pH.
- Oxygen.
- Light.
- Temperature.
- Ionic Strength.
- Cosolvent.
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If the results of this solution stability studies
dictate the compound as sufficiently stable, liquid
formulation can be developed.
Eg:
Aq. Solution for injection pH 3 containing
Irinotecan HCl, phosphate buffer & WFI was
stably prepared by dissolving camptothecins
without resorting to heating in the course of
production.
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Stress conditions used in
preformulation stability assessment:
TEST
CONDITION
SOLID
Heat (C)
4,20,30,40,40/75 % RH, 50 & 75.
Moisture uptake
30,45,60,75&90% RH at RT.
Physical stress
Ball milling
AQUEOUS SOLUTION
pH
1,3,7,9 & 11 at RT & 37C.
Reflux in 1M HCl & 1M NaOH.
Light
UV (254 & 366 nm) & Visible at RT.
Oxidation
Sparing with oxygen at RT, UV may
accelerate breakdown.
23/09/2009
PAPER-90101 NITU/M.PHARM/2009-10/LMCP
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CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
OXIDATION
It is a very common pathway for drug degradation in
both liquid & solid formulation.
Oxidation occurs in two ways:1. Auto oxidation.
2. Free radical chain process.
Functional groups having high susceptibility
towards oxidation: Alkenes.
Substituted aromatic groups. (Toluene, phenols, anisole).
Ethers.
Thioethers.
Amines.
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OXIDATION
AUTO OXIDATION
It is defined as a
reaction of any
material with
molecular oxygen
which produces free
radicals by homolytic
bond fission of a
covalent bond.
These radicals are
highly unsaturated &
readily take electron
from other substance
causing oxidation.
FREE RADICAL SCAVENGER
1) Initiation
RH
R + H
2) Propogation
R + O2
RO2
RO2 + RH
ROOH + R
3) Decomposition
ROOH
RO + OH
4) Termination
RO2 + X
Inactive product
RO2. + RO2
Inactive product
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Factors affecting oxidation
process:1) Oxygen concentration.
2) Light.
3) Heavy metals particularly those having two or more valence
state.
4) Hydrogen & Hydroxyl ion.
5) Temperature.
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Prevention of oxidation:1) Reducing oxygen content.
2) Storage in a dark & cool condition.
3) Addition of chelating agent. [Eg. EDTA, Citric acid, Tartaric
acid].
4) Adjustment of pH.
5) Changing solvent. [Eg. Aldehydes, ethers, ketones may
influence free radical reaction].
6) Addition of an antioxidant.
a.Reducing agent.
b.Chain inhibitors of radical induced decomposition
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ANTIOXIDANT
OIL SOLUBLE
WATER SOLUBLE
Free radical acceptor
& inhibit free radical
chain process.
Oxidized itself &
prevent oxidation of
drug.
Examples
-Tocopherol,
Hydroquinone,
Propyl gallate,
Butylated Hydroxy
Anisole (BHA),
Butylated Hydroxy
Toluene (BHT),
Lecithin.
Examples
Sodium metabisulphate,
Sodium bisulphite,
Acetyl cysteine,
Ascorbic acid,
Sodium thiosulfate,
Sulphur dioxide,
Thioglycolic acid,
Thioglycerol.
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HYDROLYSIS
It involves nucleophilic attack of labile groups.
Eg. Lactam > Ester > Amide > Imide.
When this attack is by a solvent other than water then
it is known as solvolysis.
It generally follows 2nd order kinetics as there are 2 reacting species,
water and API.
In aqueous solution, water is in excess, the reaction is 1st order.
Conditions that catalyze the breakdown: Presence of hydroxyl ion.
Presence of hydride ion.
Presence of divalent ion.
Heat.
Light.
Ionic hydrolysis.
Solution polarity & ionic strength.
High drug concentration.
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Prevention of hydrolysis:
pH adjustment.
Formulate the drug solution close to its pH of optimum stability.
Addition of water miscible solvent in formulation.
Optimum buffer concentration to suppress ionization.
Addition of surfactant:
Nonionic, cationic & anionic surfactant stabilizes the drug
against base catalysis.
Salts & esters: Eg. Phosphate ester of Clindamycin.
The solubility of pceuticals undergoing ester hydrolysis can be
reduced by forming less soluble salts.
Store with dessicants.
By use of complexing agent.
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Photolysis
Mechanism
of decomposition:-
Electronic configuration of drug overlaps with spectrum
of sunlight or any artificial light, & thereby energy is
absorbed by electron & it goes to the excited state.
They are unstable & release the acquired
energy & come to the ground state & decompose the
drug.
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Photosensitization means molecule or
excipient which absorbs energy but do not
participate themselves directly in the
reaction but pass the energy to other that will
cause cellular damage by inducing radical
formation.
Photosensitizer
Energy transfer
Electron transfer
Convert oxygen
from its ground state
to singlet excited
state.
Generate superoxide
molecule, which is an
anion radical & acts as a
powerful oxidizing
agent.
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PHOTODECOMPOSITION PATHWAYS
N-Dealkylation:
Eg. Diphenhydramine, Chloroquine, Methotrexate.
Dehalogenation:
Eg. Chlorpropamide, Furosemide.
Dehydrogenation of Ca++ channel blocker.
Eg. Solution of Nifedipine Nitrosophenylpyridine
(with loss of water).
Rapidly yellow color
Brown.
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Contd
Decarboxylation in anti-inflammatory agents.
Eg. Naproxen, Flurbiprofen, Benzoxaprofen.
Oxidation.
Eg. Chlorpromazine & other phenothiazines give N- & Soxides in the presence of sunlight.
Isomerization & cyclization.
Eg. Noradrenaline, Doxepine.
Rearrangement.
Eg. Metronidazole Oxidiazine Yellow color.
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Aq. solution of Lincomycin was irradiated with UV light in
homogenous & heterogenous systems.
Lincomycin disappeared in both systems but the presence
of TiO2 noticeably accelerated the degradation of antibiotic
in comparison with direct pyrolysis.
The degradation pathways involved S- & N- demethylation &
propyl dealkylation.
The photodegradation behaviour of bisphenol C studied in
monochromatic UV irradiation (= 254 nm) indicated that
phtotodegradation reaction rate constant of bisphenol C in
aq. soln. with - cyclodextrin is higher than that wihtout
- cyclodextrin, mainly due to lower bond energy
between some atoms in bisphenol C molecule after
inclusion interaction with - cyclodextrin.
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Prevention of Photodecomposition: Suitable packing.
Eg. Yellow-green glass gives the best protection in U.V. region
while Amber confers considerable protection against U.V. radiation
but little from I.R.
Use of Anti-oxidant.
Eg. Photodegradation of Sulphacetamide solution may be
inhibited by an antioxidant such as sodium thiosulfate or
sodium metabisulphate.
Protection of drug from light.
Eg. Nifedipine is manufactured under Na light.
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RACEMIZATION
The interconversion from one isomer to another can lead to
different Pcokinetic properties (ADME) as well as different
Pcological & toxicological effect.
Eg. l-epinephrine is 15 to 20 times more active than d-form,
while activity of racemic mixture is just one half of the l-form.
It follows first order kinetics.
It depends on temperature, solvent, catalyst & presence or
absence of light.
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Avoiding sunbath.
Eg. Sparfloxacin.
Photostabilizer [Light absorber].
Colorant Curcumine, Azorubine.
Pigments Iron oxide, Titanium dioxide.
Coating:
Pigments like TiO2(IN NIFEDIPINE) / ZnO.
Eg. Photostabilization of Sulphasomidine Tab. by film
coating containing U.V. absorber (Oxybenzone) to protect
color & photolytic degradation.
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POLYMERIZATION
It is a continuous reaction between molecules.
More than one monomer reacts to form a polymer.
Eg. Darkening of glucose solution is attributed to polymerization
of breakdown product [5- (hydroxyl methyl) furfural].
Eg. Shellac on aging undergoes polymerization & hence
prolongs disintegration time &dissolution time.
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ISOMERIZATION
It is the process involving change of one structure to another
having same empirical formula but different properties in one or
more respects.
Its occurrence is rare.
Examples:-
Tetracycline & its dvts. can undergo reversible Isomerization
at pH range 2-6.
Trans-cis Isomerization of Amphotericin B.
Isomerization of tetrahydrouridine.
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DECARBOXYLATION
Evolution of CO2 gas from COOH group containing drugs.
Eg. Solid PAS undergoes decarboxlation to m- aminophenol
& Carbondioxide.
ENZYME DECOMPOSITION
Chemical degradation due to enzymes induced by drug results
into decomposition.
Remedy:
Use of buccal tab.
Use of pro-drug. (L-dopa).
Improvement in physico chemical properties has been achieved
by structural optimization or prodrug approach Enhancement
of occular penetration when given orally .(ORAL DRUG
DELIVERY SYSTEM).
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According to W.H.O.
Hydrolysis and Oxidation are the most common pathways for API
degradation in the solid-state and in solution.
Photolysis and trace metal catalysis are secondary processes of
degradation.
Temperature affects each of the above chemical degradation pathways;
the rate of degradation increases with temperature.
It is well understood that pH, particularly extremes, can encourage
hydrolysis of API when ionised in aqueous solution. This necessitates
buffer control if such a dosage form is required. pH within the microenvironment of a solid oral dosage form can also impact on the stability
of the formulation where the API degradation is pH sensitive; through
understanding the aqueous pH imparted by typical excipients, a prudent
choice can overcome this issue.
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23/09/2009
PAPER-90101 NITU/M.PHARM/2009-10/LMCP
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