Abstract The aim of this work was to assess if the commercially available Fluconazole drug products (Reference, Generic and Similar) would meet the biowaiver criteria from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Brazilian Agency for Health Surveillance (ANVISA) agencies. All formulations were evaluated considering the dissolution profile carried out in Simulated Gastric Fluid (SGF) pH 1.2, Acetate Buffer (AB) pH 4.5 and Simulated Intestinal Fluid (SIF) pH 6.8. The results demonstrated that all formulations fulfilled the 85% of drug dissolved at 30 min criterion in SGF pH 1.2. However, in AB pH 4.5 and SIF pH 6.8, some formulations, including the comparator, did not achieve this dissolution percentage. The discrepant dissolution profiles also failed the ƒ2 similarity factor analysis, since none of the formulations showed values between 50 and 100 in the three dissolution media. Comparative dissolution profiles were not similar, considering that the main issues concerning the dissolution were evidenced for the comparator product. Hence, a revision in the regulatory norms in order to establish criteria to switch the comparator could result in an increased application of drugs based on biowaiver criteria.

<p>In this study, nifedipine (NFP)-loaded polymeric nanocapsules were prepared and characterised with a view to protect the drug from degradation. Nanocapsule suspensions were prepared using two different surfactants (pluronic F68 and polyvinyl alcohol). Physicochemical stability and <italic>in vivo</italic>antihypertensive effect were evaluated. The particle size, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency remained constant during a period of 28 days of exposure under light irradiation. A smaller particle size and a higher zeta potential were obtained for the nanocapsules prepared with Pluronic F68 as surfactant. The solid drug and the nanocapsules were submitted to light exposure for 28 days. After this period of time, the percentage of drug remaining in the PF68NFP and PVANFP nanocapsules was 28.1% and 21.3%, respectively. In contrast, the solid drug was completely degraded after 4 days, suggesting that the nanocapsule suspensions promoted significant protection of the drug against light exposure. In addition, <italic>in vivo</italic> studies were carried out, which demonstrated that the formulations with polyvinyl alcohol exhibited a very rapid onset of action after oral administration in rats and led to faster drug release. The nanoparticles developed can be considered as an alternative for improving NFP stability in liquid formulations.</p>

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo activity of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a suspension of the complex composed of dexamethasone acetate (DMA) with β-cyclodextrin in comparison to a suspension of the pure DMA. Solid complexes prepared by different methods were evaluated in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics studies. The pharmacodynamic effect was investigated although the capacity of the inhibited the inflammation. Models of abdominal constriction, carrageenan-induced paw oedema and formalin induced licking were used. The study of the pharmacodynamic comparison of free DMA and products of β-CD:DMA demonstrated no significant difference in the majority of the tests performed. Plasma concentrations of DMA and DMA:β-CD were assayed by HPLC. A significant (p > 0.05) decrease in the relative bioavailability was obtained with the suspension containing the DMA:β-CD complex as measured by DMA plasma levels. The area under the curve (AUC) of the suspension of DMA was higher than that obtained with the suspension of the complexes. The pharmacokinetic evaluation of dexamethasone carried out on mice in the present study showed that complexed DMA with β-cyclodextrin modifieds some parameters related to the phases of absorption and elimination of this drug.

O deflazacorte (DFZ) é um fármaco glicocorticóide usado como antiinflamatório e imunossupressor. Métodos oficiais não estão disponíveis para a determinação de DFZ em formas farmacêuticas. Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver, validar e comparar métodos por espectrofotometria (UV e colorimetria) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE), na determinação quantitativa de DFZ em comprimidos e suspensão oral. O método por UV utilizou etanol como solvente, com detecção em 244 nm. O método colorimétrico foi baseado na reação de redução com azul de tetrazólio em meio alcalino, com detecção em 524 nm. O método por CLAE utilizou coluna C18; fase móvel constituída de acetonitrila:água (80:20, v/v), com fluxo de 1,0 mL min-1 e detecção em 244 nm. Os métodos foram lineares (r > 0,999); precisos (RSD < 5 %), e exatos (recuperação > 97%). As análises estatísticas dos resultados obtidos indicaram que os métodos por UV e por CLAE foram estatisticamente equivalentes, enquanto os valores obtidos para o método colorimétrico diferiram significativamente dos demais métodos.

Deflazacort (DFZ) is a glucocorticoid used as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drug. No official methods are available for DFZ determination in pharmaceutical formulations. The objective of this study was to develop, validate and compare spectrophotometric (UV and colorimetric) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods, for the quantitative determination of DFZ in tablets and oral suspension. For the UV method, ethanol was used as the solvent, with detection at 244 nm. The colorimetric method was based on the redox reaction with blue tetrazolium in alkaline medium, with detection at 524 nm. The method by HPLC was carried out using a C18 column, mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water (80:20, v/v) with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1 and detection at 244 nm. The methods proved linear (r > 0.999), precise (RSD < 5%) and accurate (recovery > 97%). Statistical analysis of the results indicated that the UV and HPLC methods were statistically equivalent, while the values obtained for the colorimetric method differed significantly from the other methods.

This work reports the validation of an analytical UV spectrophotometric method to assay acyclovir in hydrophilic matrices (assay and dissolution studies). The method was linear in the range between 2.5-20 µg mL-1, presenting a good correlation coefficient ( r = 0,9999). Precision and accuracy analysis showed low relative standart deviation (< 2.0 %) and a good recoveries percentual (98.9-100 %). The procedure was linear, accurate, and robust. The method is simple and cheap. It does not use polluting reagents and can be applied in dissolution studies, being an adequate alternative to assay acyclovir in hydrophilic matrices tablets.

As formas farmacêuticas sólidas orais (FFSO) de liberação prolongada caracterizam-se pela liberação gradual do fármaco e manutenção da sua concentração plasmática em níveis terapêuticos, durante um período de tempo prolongado. Podem ser desenvolvidas como sistemas monolíticos ou multiparticulados, empregando-se tecnologias como matrizes poliméricas, sistemas reservatório ou bombas osmóticas. Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão acerca das tecnologias utilizadas para a obtenção de FFSO de liberação prolongada, destacando os benefícios tecnológicos e biofarmacotécnicos dos sistemas multiparticulados sobre os monolíticos. Os métodos empregados para a avaliação das características de dissolução desses sistemas são também abordados, especialmente o aparato 3 da Farmacopéia Americana. Por fim, são apresentados exemplos de produtos disponíveis no mercado brasileiro, com o objetivo de ilustrar a aplicabilidade das FFSO de liberação prolongada, além de verificar o perfil de utilização desses sistemas pela indústria nacional.

Sustained release solid oral dosage forms are characterized by the gradual release of the drug and maintenance of its plasmatic concentration in therapeutic levels, during a prolonged period of time. They can be designed as single-unity or multiple-unity dosage forms, using technologies such as matrix, reservoir or osmotic systems. The present work is a review on the technologies used to obtain sustained release oral dosage forms, with a special attention to the technological and biopharmaceutical benefits of multiple-unity over single-unity systems. The methods used in the evaluation of the dissolution characteristics of such systems are also approached. Examples of products available in the Brazilian market are shown with the purpose of illustrating the applicability of sustained release solid oral dosage forms, besides verifying the profile of utilization of these systems by the national industry.

O carbonato de cálcio é um excipiente farmacêutico amplamente utilizado como diluente em formas farmacêuticas sólidas. Também é utilizado para auxiliar na dissolução de comprimidos dispersíveis, como base para preparações dentais e medicinais, e como aditivos em suplementos alimentares. A casca de ovo é rica em sais minerais, principalmente o carbonato de cálcio que corresponde a 94% da casca. As indústrias de ovos produzem grande quantidade de casca e seu destino final é um desafio em termos ambientais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as propriedades físico-químicas do carbonato de cálcio obtido a partir da casca de ovo. Os resultados demonstraram que o carbonato de cálcio obtido pode ser uma alternativa como excipiente farmacêutico.

Calcium carbonate, a pharmaceutical excipient, is widely used as diluent in solid dosage forms. It is also used as a base for medicinal and dental preparations, a buffering and dissolution aid for dispersible tablets, a food additive and a calcium supplement. Egg shells are a rich source of mineral salts, mainly calcium carbonate, which corresponds to about 94% of the shell. Layer farms produce large amounts of shells, whose final disposal poses a challenge from the environmental standpoint. This work was designed to evaluate the physicochemical and thermal properties of calcium carbonate obtained from egg shells. The findings indicated that calcium carbonate from egg shells can be used as an alternative pharmaceutical excipient.

An analytical method using an ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV) was developed and validated to quantify the drug captopril in tablets of delayed release. The available parameters were: specificity, linearity and range, precision, accuracy and robustness. The linearity in the range of 5.0 - 40.0 µg/mL presented a correlation coefficient of 0, 9998. The excipients in the formulation did not interfere with the analysis and the recovery was quantitative 100, 20 ± 0, 28%. All results were satisfactory and the method proved to be adequate to quantify captopril in delayed release tablets.

Um método analítico utilizando espectroscopia no ultravioleta (UV) foi desenvolvido e validado para quantificar o fármaco captopril em comprimidos de liberação prolongada. Os parâmetros utilizados no processo de validação foram especificidade, linearidade e intervalo, precisão, exatidão e robustez. A linearidade no intervalo de 5.0 - 40.0 µg/mL apresentou um coeficiente de correlação de 0,9998. Os excipientes das formulações não interferiram com a análise e a recuperação da amostra foi de 100,20 ± 0,28 %. Todos os resultados foram satisfatórios e o método provou ser adequado para quantificar o captopril nos comprimidos de liberação prolongada.

No presente trabalho foram desenvolvidos comprimidos de captopril revestidos com hidroxipropilmetilcelulose (HPMC), Opadry®, polivinilpirrolidona (PVP), Eudragit® E e goma laca. Foi realizado estudo termoanalítico do fármaco e das formulações através de termogravimetria (TG) e calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC). Através da análise das curvas DSC verificou-se que não houve a ocorrência de interação entre o fármaco e os excipientes lactose, celulose microcristalina, croscarmelose sódica, Aerosil® e talco, utilizados na formulação do comprimido. Através desta técnica detectou-se a possibilidade de interação entre captopril e estearato de magnésio. De acordo com os resultados obtidos através de DSC não foram observadas alterações na cristalinidade do fármaco decorrentes dos processos de compressão e revestimento. A termogravimetria foi utilizada para o estudo da cinética de degradação do captopril e dos comprimidos. Os parâmetros cinéticos foram determinados através do método de Ozawa. Os resultados demonstraram que não houve alteração da estabilidade térmica do captopril na forma de comprimido. A formulação revestida com HPMC foi a que apresentou maior estabilidade térmica, quando comparada às demais formulações de revestimento.

In the present study, captopril coated tablets with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), Opadry®, polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP), Eudragit® and shellac were produced. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) were used to evaluate the thermal properties of the drug and the formulations. On the basis of DSC results, captopril was found to be compatible with lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium croscarmellose, Aerosil® and talc. Some possibility of interaction between drug-excipient was observed with magnesium stearate. However, additional techniques to confirm the results obtained are needed. There was no influence of mechanical treatment (tableting and coating) on drug crystallinity, in compliance with the DSC results. Thermogravimetry was used to determine the thermal parameters for the captopril drug and its tablets. The kinetic parameters were determined via Ozawa model. The captopril drug and tablet presented the same thermal stability. The tablets coated with HPMC presented the highest thermal stability.