Multiunit particulate system

By
Pavan
RS-FRD.

Multiparticulate Systems
Multi-particulate drug delivery systems are
mainly oral dosage forms consisting of a
multiplicity of small discrete units, each exhibiting
some desired characteristics
The dosage of the drug is sub-divided
The basic concept of multiple-unit systems is that
the dose of the active ingredient is released by
the individual subunits like pellets, and the
functionality of the entire dose depends on the
quality of the subunits
The idea behind scheming multiparticulate
dosage form is to produce a responsible
formulation which has all the benefits of single
unit formulations and devoid of the danger of

Advantages
Less dependent on gastric emptying, resulting in
less
inter
and
intra-subject
variability
in
gastrointestinal transit time
Increased bioavailability, reduced risk of systemic
toxicity, reduced risk of local irritation and
predictable gastric emptying
Specifically suitable for achieving controlled or
delayed release oral formulations with smallest
amount risk of dose dumping
The drug release pattern from these systems
depends on a carrier which is used in the formation
of multiparticulates and the amount of drug
enclosed in them

Advantag
es
Multiparticulate systems give superior
reproducible pharmacokinetic behavior in
comparison to conventional (monolithic)
formulations
if there is damage to the film coating of a
monolithic tablet with a sustained release
formulation, it may lead to dose dumping
resulting into spectacular side effects which is
prevented in MUPS.

Drawbacks

Low drug loading

Proportionally higher need for excipients
Lack of manufacturing reproducibility and efficacy
Large number of process variables Multiple
formulation steps
Higher cost of production
Need of advanced technology Trained/skilled
personal needed for manufacturing

Applications
Extended release dosage forms
Zero order release
First order release.

Pulsatile release
Site specific release

Wurster process

The technology is characterized

by the location of a spray nozzle
at the bottom of a fluidized bed
of solid particles. The particles
are moved with a fluidizing air
stream that is designed to induce
a cyclic manner. The nozzle
sprays atomized droplets of
coating solution or suspension
concurrently with particle flow.

 Advantages:
Minimizes spray-drying and contributes to high
coating uniformity and coating efficiency
The benefits of this processing option are mainly for
the layering and subsequent film coating of pellets.
The bottom-spray process produced a smoother and
more uniform coating compared with top-spraying.
Applications:
Drug loading
Film coating
Functional coating

Variables
Process Variables

Inlet Temperature
Atomization
Spray Rate
Fluidization Air Flow
Fluidization Air
Humidity
Column Height
The bag shaking
cycles
Solution Viscosity

Product variables
Core / pellets :
To ensure a uniform application of material,
substrate need to be
spherical uniform coating
Smooth uniform coating
Narrow particle size distribution uniform coating
Robust to withstand the process
Low porosity to prevent drug entrapment.

Aqueous based film formers

Advantages :
1. Cost effective
2. Environmental friendly
3. Standard equipment
. Disadvantages :
1. Shift of profile with time
2. Release modulation for insoluble APIs.
3. Complex film formation.

Product variables
Mechanism of film formation : Aqueous
dispersion contain latex particles rather than
individual dissolved molecules . Upon evaporation
of the water, only the individual particles move
closer without interpenetration. Only when the
particles collide giving rise to formation of
homogenous film.

Product variables
Aqueous coatings :
Drug releases by diffusion mechanism.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Film thickness or weight gain

Uniformity of film
Plasticizer
Solid content of film
Pore formers
API solubility

Organic
coatings
Mechanism of film formation :Film formation of a
solution takes place through evaporation of the
solvent, so that the polymer chains move closer
and closer until they enter into contact. The
plasticizing effect of the solvent is usually
sufficient to obtain the required elasticity for film
formation.

organic
coating
For moisture sensitive and heat sensitive drugs
For highly soluble drugs
advantages
1. Ease of application
2. Very stable film
3. Desired profile with low weight gain
4. High tensile strength
. Limitations
1. Cost- solvent used
2. Organic impurities
3. Safety issue
4. Release modulation of insoluble APIs

 Commonly used solvents :

Alcohols methanol, ethanol, IPA
Ketones Acetone
Binary solvents Methylene chloride + ethanol
Hydroalcoholics
Solvent system affect coating solution viscosity
Solvent system may affect coating process
parameters
May affect drug release
Considerations of organic residues in film.

Factors affecting drug

release
Film thickness :
as weight gain , rate of release
Polymer viscosity :
as viscosity , strength of film , but rate of
release unaffected.
Drug solubility :
as solubility , rate of release
Choice of plasticizer :
water soluble plasticizers will give faster
release rates
Choice of solvent :
Faster release from aq. Than organic coated
at equivalent thickness of coat.

Polymers used in mups

Synthetic polymers:
o
o
o
o
o

Ethyl cellulose
Cellulose acetate
Acrylic resins
Methyl methacrylate
Poly vinyl acetate

Plasticizers:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Triacetin
TEC
TBC
DBS
PEG
PG
DEP

Commerically
available polymeric
dispersions
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Eudragit
Aquacoat
Surelease
Aquateric
Coateric
Aquoat
Kollicoat.

Evaluatio
n

Dissolution at various PH, stressed hydrodynamic

conditions
Texture analysis
Dynamic DSC to determine glass transition temp. of
polymer
Potential aging of the film upon storage or curing
Film surface morphology.

Tablet
compression
Challenges :
1. Compaction may induce structural changes in
the coating and consequently alter drug release.
2. Weight variation
3. Poor hardness
4. Friability.
5. Need of Cushioning agent
To control compaction induced changes , need proper
selections of polymer, shape,porosity and density of
pellet, compression force, content of coated pellets in
the blend and nature of excipients.

Tablet
compression
Factors :
1. Soft pellets
2. Size and shape.
3. Density and porosity
4. Compression force.
5. Polymer.

THANK YOU