Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Theoretical and Practical Approaches for Prediction of Drug–Polymer Miscibility and Solubility

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Pharmaceutical Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Crystallization of drugs formulated in the amorphous form may lead to reduced apparent solubility, decreased rate of dissolution and bioavailability and compromise the physical integrity of the solid dosage form. The purpose of this work was to develop thermodynamic approaches, both practical and theoretical, that will yield a better understanding of which factors are most important for determining the ability of polymers to stabilize amorphous active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).

Materials and Methods

Lattice based solution models were used to examine miscibility criteria in API-polymer blends. Different methods were used to estimate the Flory‐Huggins interaction parameter for model API-polymer systems consisting of felodipine or nifedipine with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). These were melting point depression and determination of solubility parameters using group contribution theory. The temperature and enthalpy of fusion of crystalline API alone and the fusion temperature of the API in the presence of the polymer were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The resultant thermal data were used to estimate the reduced driving force for crystallization and the solubility of the API in the polymer.

Results

Flory‐Huggins theory predicts that, for typical API-polymer systems, the entropy of mixing is always favorable and should be relatively constant. Due to the favorable entropy of mixing, miscibility can still be achieved in systems with a certain extent of unfavorable enthalpic interactions. For the model systems, interaction parameters derived from melting point depression were negative indicating that mixing was exothermic. Using these interaction parameters and Flory‐Huggins theory, miscibility was predicted for all compositions, in agreement with experimental data. A model was developed to estimate the solubility of the API in the polymer. The estimated solubility of the model APIs in PVP is low suggesting that kinetic rather than thermodynamic stabilization plays a significant role in inhibiting crystallization.

Conclusions

The thermodynamics of API-polymer systems can be modeled using solution based theories. Such models can contribute towards providing an understanding of the compatibility between API and polymer and the mechanisms of physical stabilization in such systems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig.1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig.5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. D. Law, S. L. Krill, E. A. Schmitt, J. J. Fort, Y. H. Qiu, W. L. Wang, and W. R. Porter. Physicochemical considerations in the preparation of amorphous ritonavir-poly(ethylene glycol) 8000 solid dispersions. J. Pharm. Sci. 90:1015–1025 (2001).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. L. S. Taylor and G. Zografi. Spectroscopic characterization of interactions between PVP and indomethacin in amorphous molecular dispersions. Pharm. Res. 14:1691–1698 (1997).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. D. Law, E. A. Schmitt, K. C. Marsh, E. A. Everitt, W. L. Wang, J. J. Fort, S. L. Krill, and Y. H. Qiu. Ritonavir-PEG 8000 amorphous solid dispersions: In vitro and in vivo evaluations. J. Pharm. Sci. 93:563–570 (2004).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. T. Miyazaki, S. Yoshioka, Y. Aso, and S. Kojima. Ability of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacrylic acid to inhibit the crystallization of amorphous acetaminophen. J. Pharm. Sci. 93:2710–2717 (2004).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. I. Weuts, D. Kempen, A. Decorte, G. Verreck, J. Peeters, M. Brewster, and G. Van den Mooter. Phase behaviour analysis of solid dispersions of loperamide and two structurally related compounds with the polymers PVP-K30 and PVP-VA64. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 22:375–385 (2004).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. G. Van den Mooter, M. Wuyts, N. Blaton, R. Busson, P. Grobet, P. Augustijns, and R. Kinget. Physical stabilisation of amorphous ketoconazole in solid dispersions with polyvinylpyrrolidone K25. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 12:261–269 (2001).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. K. Khougaz and S. D. Clas. Crystallization inhibition in solid dispersions of MK-0591 and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) polymers. J. Pharm. Sci. 89:1325–1334 (2000).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. V. Tantishaiyakul, N. Kaewnopparat, and S. Ingkatawornwong. Properties of solid dispersions of piroxicam in polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30. Int. J. Pharm. 143:59–66 (1996).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. H. Suzuki and H. Sunada. Influence of water-soluble polymers on the dissolution of nifedipine solid dispersions with combined carriers. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 46:482–487 (1998).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. S. Sethia and E. Squillante. Solid dispersion of carbamazepine in PVPK30 by conventional solvent evaporation and supercritical methods. Int. J. Pharm. 272:1–10 (2004).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. E. Broman, C. Khoo, and L. S. Taylor. A comparison of alternative polymer excipients and processing methods for making solid dispersions of a poorly water soluble drug. Int. J. Pharm. 222:139–151 (2001).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. K. J. Crowley and G. Zografi. The effect of low concentrations of molecularly dispersed poly(vinylpyrrolidone) on indomethacin crystallization from the amorphous state. Pharm. Res. 20:1417–1422 (2003).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. M. Fujii, J. Hasegawa, H. Kitajima, and M. Matsumoto. The solid dispersion of benzodiazepins with phosphatidylcholine–the effect of substituents of benzodiazepins on the formation of solid dispersions. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 39:3013–3017 (1991).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. W. L. Chiou and S. Riegelma. Pharmaceutical applications of solid dispersion systems. J. Pharm. Sci. 60:1281–1302 (1971).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. K. Six, C. Leuner, J. Dressman, G. Verreck, J. Peeters, N. Blaton, P. Augustijns, R. Kinget, and G. Van den Mooter. Thermal properties of hot-stage extrudates of itraconazole and eudragit E100–phase separation and polymorphism. J. Therm. Anal. Calorim. 68:591–601 (2002).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. R. F. Fedors. Method for estimating both solubility parameters and molar volumes of liquids. Polym. Eng. Sci. 14:147–154 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. J. H. Hildebrand and R. L. Scott. Solubility of Nonelectrolytes. Reinhold, New York, 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  18. P. J. Flory. Principles of Polymer Chemistry. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, 1953.

    Google Scholar 

  19. R. J. Young and P. A. Lovell. Introduction to Polymers. Nelson Thornes, Cheltenham, United Kingdom, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  20. M. Rubinstein and Ralph H. Colby. Polymer Physics. Oxford University Press, New York, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  21. P. C. Painter, J. F. Graf, and M. M. Coleman. Effect of hydrogen-bonding on the enthalpy of mixing and the composition dependence of the glass-transition temperature in polymer blends. Macromolecules 24:5630–5638 (1991).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. M. M. Coleman, John F. Graf, and Paul C. Painter. Specific Interactions and the Miscibility of Polymer Blends. Technomic, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  23. M. J. Newing. Thermodynamic studies of silicones in benzene solution. Trans. Faraday Soc. 46:613–620 (1950).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. C. E. H. Bawn, R. F. J. Freeman, and A. R. Kamaliddin. High polymer solutions.1. Vapour pressure of polystyrene solutions. Trans. Faraday Soc. 46:677–684 (1950).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. D. J. Greenhalgh, A. C. Williams, P. Timmins, and P. York. Solubility parameters as predictors of miscibility in solid dispersions. J. Pharm. Sci. 88:1182–1190 (1999).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. B. C. Hancock, P. York, and R. C. Rowe. The use of solubility parameters in pharmaceutical dosage form design. Int. J. Pharm. 148:1–21 (1997).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. A. Forster, J. Hempenstall, I. Tucker, and T. Rades. Selection of excipients for melt extrusion with two poorly water-soluble drugs by solubility parameter calculation and thermal analysis. Int. J. Pharm. 226:147–161 (2001).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. P. J. Marsac, H. Konno, and L. S. Taylor. A comparison of the physical stability of amorphous felodipine and nifedipine systems. Pharm. Res. (in this issue) (2006).

  29. X. L. C. Tang, M. J. Pikal, and L. S. Taylor. A spectroscopic investigation of hydrogen bond patterns in crystalline and amorphous phases in dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. Pharm. Res. 19:477–483 (2002).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. T. Nishi and T. T. Wang. Melting-point depression and kinetic effects of cooling on crystallization in poly(vinylidene fluoride) poly(methyl methacrylate) mixtures. Macromolecules 8:909–915 (1975).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. E. Meaurio, E. Zuza, and J. R. Sarasua. Miscibility and specific interactions in blends of poly(L-lactide) with poly(vinylphenol). Macromolecules 38:1207–1215 (2005).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. L. Mandelkern. Crystallization of Polymers. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Y. Hoei, K. Yamaura, and S. Matsuzawa. A lattice treatment of crystalline solvent-amorphous polymer mixtures on melting-point depression. J. Phys. Chem. 96:10584–10586 (1992).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. R. Kaur, D. J. W. Grant, and T. Eaves. Comparison of polyethylene-glycol and polyoxyethylene stearate as excipients for solid dispersion-systems of griseofulvin and tolbutamide.1. Phase-equilibria. J. Pharm. Sci. 69:1317–1321 (1980).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. S. E. Bartsch and U. J. Griesser. Physicochemical properties of the binary system glibenclamide and polyethylene glycol 4000. J. Therm. Anal. Calorim. 77:555–569 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. C. Anastasiadou, S. Henry, B. Legendre, C. Souleau, and D. Duchene. Solid dispersions‐comparison of prepared melts and coprecipitates of diazepam and polyoxyethylene glycol-4000. Drug Dev. Ind. Pharm. 9:103–115 (1983).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. L. S. Taylor, F. W. Langkilde, and G. Zografi. Fourier transform Raman spectroscopic study of the interaction of water vapor with amorphous polymers. J. Pharm. Sci. 90:888–901 (2001).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. J. D. Hoffman. Thermodynamic driving force in nucleation and growth processes. J. Chem. Phys. 29:1192–1193 (1958).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. B. R. Jasti, B. Berner, S. L. Zhou, and X. L. Li. A novel method for determination of drug solubility in polymeric matrices. J. Pharm. Sci. 93:2135–2141 (2004).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. J. Breitenbach. Melt extrusion: from process to drug delivery technology. Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm. 54:107–117 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  41. S. H. Yalkowsky. Solubility and Solubilization in Aqueous Media. Oxford University Press, New York, 1999, pp. 49–80.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Alfred Rumondor is thanked for providing experimental solubility values. The PhRMA Foundation is acknowledged for a pre-doctoral fellowship to PJM. LST thanks AFPE/AACP for a New Investigator Award. AstraZeneca is thanked for financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907, USA

    Patrick J. Marsac & Lynne S. Taylor

  2. Pfizer Inc., Groton, Connecticut, 06340, USA

    Sheri L. Shamblin

Authors
  1. Patrick J. Marsac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sheri L. Shamblin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lynne S. Taylor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lynne S. Taylor.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Marsac, P.J., Shamblin, S.L. & Taylor, L.S. Theoretical and Practical Approaches for Prediction of Drug–Polymer Miscibility and Solubility. Pharm Res 23, 2417–2426 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-006-9063-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-006-9063-9

Key words

Search

Navigation