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Between February 2020 and January 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled 281 metformin extended-release products due to the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) above the acceptable daily intake (ADI, 96 ng/day). Our previous studies indicated presence of NDMA levels above ADI in both metformin immediate and extended-release products. When metformin products have NDMA impurities, it is indispensable to check for the same impurities in metformin combination products. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate in-use stability of commercial metformin combination products for NDMA. For this purpose, metformin products in combination with glyburide (GB1-GB12), glipizide (GP1-GP8), pioglitazone (P1-P3), alogliptin (A1, A2), and linagliptin (L1, L2) were repacked in pharmacy vials, stored at 30°C/75% RH for 3 months, and monitored for NDMA impurity. The NDMA level varied from 0 to 156.8 ± 32.8 ng/tablet initially and increased to 25.4 ± 5.1 to 455.0 ± 28.4 ng/tablet after 3 months of exposure to in-use condition. Initially, 18 products have NDMA level below ADI limit before exposure which decreased to 7 products (GB5, GP3, GP5, A1, A2, L1, and L2) meeting specification. In conclusion, in-use stability study provides quality and safety risk assessment of drug products where nitroso impurities are detected in the probable condition of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of the present investigation was to develop amorphous glassy solutions (AGSs) of BCS Class II and IV drugs using sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB). The drugs studied were rifaximin (RFX), dasatinib (DST), aripiprazole (APZ), dolutegravir (DLT), cyclosporine (CYS), itraconazole (ITZ), tacrolimus (TAC), sirolimus (SRL), aprepitant (APT), and carbamazepine (CBZ). AGSs were prepared by dissolving known quantity of the drug in the SAIB at 120 (TAC and APZ), 140 (CYS) or 150 oC (RFX, DST, DLT, ITZ, SRL, APT, and CBZ). They were characterized visually and by NIR, NIR hyperspectroscopy (NIR-H), and XRPD. Stability were determined by exposing open vials to 40 oC/75% RH for a week. AGSs behave like a glassy solid at room temperature and liquified above 60 oC. The solubility of APT, DLT, SRL, APZ, RFX, CBZ, TAC and CYS in SAIB was 0.4±0.0, 1.7±0.4, 1.9±0.0, 21.6±2.6, 36.4±0.9, 76.5±4.0, 115.1±2.3, and 239.0±12.6 mg/g, respectively. NIR, NIR-H, and XRPD data indicated the amorphous nature of the AGSs. Furthermore, AGSs were stable against devitrification on exposure to high temperature and humidity. In summary, SAIB can be employed to develop stable AGSs of poorly soluble drugs to increase dissolution, and oral bioavailability with the addition of hydrophilic excipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study objective was to assess skin-to-skin drug transfer potential that may occur due to drug retention in human epidermis (DRE) pretreated with application of estradiol transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) and other estradiol transdermal dosage forms (gels and sprays). TDDS (products- A, B, and C) with varying formulation design and composition, and other estradiol transdermal products (gel and spray) were applied to heat separated human epidermis (HSE) and subjected to in vitro drug permeation study. Amounts of DRE were quantified after 24 h. The DRE with product- B was significantly ( P < 0.001) higher than that with product- C, product- A, gel, and spray. However, products- A and C, gel, and spray showed almost the same ( P > 0.05) amounts of DRE. A separate in vitro permeation study was carried out to determine amounts of drug transferred from drug-retaining epidermis to untreated HSE. The amounts of drug transferred, due to DRE after 8 h, with product- C were significantly ( P < 0.001) higher than those with products- A and B, gel, and spray. The in vitro study results indicate a high potential of skin-to-skin drug transfer due to the DRE after labeled period of using estradiol TDDS, though the clinical relevance of these findings is yet to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of the present investigation was to explore the use of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (C ssNMR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) for quantification of nimodipine polymorphs (form I and form II) crystallized in a cosolvent formulation. The cosolvent formulation composed of polyethylene glycol 400, glycerin, water, and 2.5% drug, and was stored at 5°C for the drug crystallization. The C ssNMR and XRPD data of the sample matrices containing varying percentages of nimodipine form I and form II were collected. Univariate and multivariate models were developed using the data. Least square method was used for the univariate model generation. Partial least square and principle component regressions were used for the multivariate models development. The univariate models of the C ssNMR were better than the XRPD as indicated by statistical parameters such as correlation coefficient, R, root mean square error, and standard error. On the other hand, the XRPD multivariate models were better than the C ssNMR as indicated by precision and accuracy parameters. Similar values were predicted by the univariate and multivariate models for independent samples. In conclusion, the univariate and multivariate models of C ssNMR and XRPD can be used to quantitate nimodipine polymorphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of the present investigation was to explore the use of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C ssNMR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) for quantification of nimodipine polymorphs (form I and form II) crystallized in a cosolvent formulation. The cosolvent formulation composed of polyethylene glycol 400, glycerin, water, and 2.5% drug, and was stored at 5°C for the drug crystallization. The (13)C ssNMR and XRPD data of the sample matrices containing varying percentages of nimodipine form I and form II were collected. Univariate and multivariate models were developed using the data. Least square method was used for the univariate model generation. Partial least square and principle component regressions were used for the multivariate models development. The univariate models of the (13)C ssNMR were better than the XRPD as indicated by statistical parameters such as correlation coefficient, R (2), root mean square error, and standard error. On the other hand, the XRPD multivariate models were better than the (13)C ssNMR as indicated by precision and accuracy parameters. Similar values were predicted by the univariate and multivariate models for independent samples. In conclusion, the univariate and multivariate models of (13)C ssNMR and XRPD can be used to quantitate nimodipine polymorphs.

The purpose of this study was to develop poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based anastrozole microparticles for treatment of breast cancer. An emulsion/extraction method was used to prepare anastrozole sustained-release PLGA-based biodegradable microspheres. Gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy detection was used for the quantitation of the drug throughout the studies. Microparticles were formulated and characterized in terms of encapsulation efficiency, particle size distribution, surface morphology, and drug release profile. Preparative variables such as concentrations of stabilizer, drug-polymer ratio, polymer viscosity, stirring rate, and ratio of internal to external phases were found to be important factors for the preparation of anastrozole-loaded PLGA microparticles. Fourier transform infrared with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to determine any interactions between drug and polymer. An attempt was made to fit the data to various dissolution kinetics models for multiparticulate systems, including the zero order, first order, square root of time kinetics, and biphasic models. The FTIR-ATR studies revealed no chemical interaction between the drug and the polymer. DSC results indicated that the anastrozole trapped in the microspheres existed in an amorphous or disordered-crystalline status in the polymer matrix. The highest correlation coefficients were obtained for the Higuchi model, suggesting a diffusion mechanism for the drug release. The results demonstrated that anastrozole microparticles with PLGA could be an alternative delivery method for the long-term treatment of breast cancer.