title: Cyclodextrin solubilization of benzodiazepines: formulation of midazolam nasal spray.
abstract: The cyclodextrin solubilization of three benzodiazepines, i.e. alprazolam, midazolam and triazolam, was investigated. The cyclodextrin solubilization was enhanced through ring-opening of the benzodiazepine rings and ionization of the ring-open forms. Additional enhancement was obtained through interaction of a water-soluble polymer with the cyclodextrin complexes. The ring-opening was pH-dependent and completely reversible, the ring-open forms dominating at low pH but the ring-closed forms at physiologic pH. The ring-closed forms were rapidly regenerated upon elevation of pH. In freshly collected human serum in vitro at 37 degrees C, the half-life for the first-order rate constant for the ring-closing reaction was estimated to be less than 2 min for both alprazolam and midazolam. Midazolam (17 mg/ml) was solubilized in aqueous pH 4.3 nasal formulation containing 14% (w/v) sulfobutylether beta-cyclodextrin, 0.1% (w/v) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, preservatives and buffer salts. Six healthy volunteers received 0.06 mg/kg midazolam intranasally and 2 mg intravenously, and blood samples were collected up to 360 min after the administration. Midazolam was absorbed rapidly reaching maximum serum concentrations of 54.3+/-5.0 ng/ml at 15+/-2 min. The elimination half-life of midazolam was 2.2+/-0.3 h and the absolute availability was 73+/-7%. All mean values+/-SEM.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Iceland, P.O. Box 7210, IS-127, Reykjavik, Iceland. thorstlo@hi.is
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Loftsson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gudmundsdóttir
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sigurjónsdóttir
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Sigurdsson
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sigfússon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Másson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stefánsson
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003505:Cyclodextrins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003505:Cyclodextrins; D008874:Midazolam