Melt granulation using a twin-screw extruder: a case study.
The purpose of this study was to use a twin-screw extruder for melt granulation. Polyethylene glycols (PEG 400 and 4000) were used as binders for the development of a drinking water formulation with immediate drug release. The effect of drug content, PEG 400/4000-ratio, surfactant (type and concentration) and granulation temperature on granule properties and dissolution characteristics was determined. The granulation temperature had an important influence on the granule formation. High yield (95% of the granules <1400 microm) was obtained only at a temperature near the melting point of PEG 4000. During granulation the drug of BCS class II was finely dispersed in the PEGs, creating a micro-environment around the drug particles enhancing the dissolution rate. To obtain complete drug release within 10 min for a formulation containing 10% drug, the addition of 2% (w/w) surfactant (polysorbate 80 or Cremophor RH40) was required. At a higher drug content (20%), the PEG 4000 concentration had to be increased to 20% to improve granule properties and 4% polysorbate 80 was required to obtain 100% drug release. X-ray diffractograms showed distinct peaks of crystalline drug, the crystallinity of the drug did not change after 50 days, independent of the storage conditions.
Van Melkebeke
Barbara
B
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Vermeulen
Brenda
B
Vervaet
Chris
C
Remon
Jean Paul
JP
D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning / Q000379:methods; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D003460:Crystallization; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004339:Drug Compounding; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000737:chemistry; D011208:Powders; D012995:Solubility; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011136:Polysorbates; D011208:Powders; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014867:Water; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols