title: Prolonged-release minitablets with carbamazepine - preliminary observations in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to develop prolonged-release minitablets (MT) with carbamazepine (CBZ).
  
  
  METHODS
  Matrix-type 3-mm MT (5 mg CBZ) were prepared by direct compression using hydrophilic (hypromellose) or hydrophobic polymers (ethylcellulose, Kollidon SR, glyceryl behenate). Coated prolonged-release MT (2.5 mm/3 mg of CBZ) were produced using ethylcellulose or Eudragit RL/RS. The release tests were performed in a basket apparatus with water or 1% sodium lauryl sulphate solution as dissolution media.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-viscosity hypromellose used as a matrix polymer resulted in slow release of CBZ (80% released during 12 h). Dissolution was slower from hydrophobic matrices. Non-swelling MT cores were successfully coated with Eudragit RL/RS, which resulted in the prolonged release of CBZ (80%/14 h), depending on the film thickness and Eudragit composition. Careful choice of pore formers in the coating film allowed to reduce lag time. Ethylcellulose was unsuitable as coating polymer due to low permeability to CBZ and unsatisfying mechanical resistance of the films modified with hypromellose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged release of CBZ was obtained from both matrix-type and coated MT. Further development of MT as a single unit or multicompartment prolonged-release new dosage form especially suitable for children has been justified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dzajkowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Kotlowska
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: Polpharma SA Pharmaceutical Works, Starogard Gdanski, Poland.
authors.forename: Madanecka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anna
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Szczepanska
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maja
authors.affiliation: Student Chapter of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Doniza
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dagmara
authors.affiliation: Student Chapter of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Sosnowicz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anna
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Sznitowska
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malgorzata
mesh_terms: D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004339:Drug Compounding; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012995:Solubility; D013607:Tablets; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004304:Dosage Forms; D013607:Tablets; D013608:Tablets, Enteric-Coated; D002220:Carbamazepine; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives
keywords: carbamazepine; coating; matrix tablet; minitablets; prolonged release