A STABLE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING AN ACID
LABILE DRUG
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/549,653 filed on March 3, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to stable pharmaceutical compositions. More
particularly, this invention provides a stable pharmaceutical composition comprising
solid carriers for an acid labile drug such as a pharmaceutically active substituted
benzimidazole compound and methods of preparing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfmyl-lH-benzimidazoles are known gastric
proton pump inhibitors. Lansoprazole is a substituted benzimidazole compound
effective in inhibiting gastric acid secretion. This drug is used for the treatment of
gastric and duodenal ulcers, severe erosive esophagitis, Zolinger-Ellison syndrome
and H. pylori eradication. Other substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfinyl-lHbenzimidazole
compounds, which are proton pump inhibitors effective in treating
these diseases, include omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole,
hydroxyomeprazole, pariprazole, perprazole and tenatoprazole. Leminoprazole, which
is a substituted 2-(phenylmethyl) sulfinyl-lH-benzimidazole compound, is also a
proton pump inhibitor effective in treating these diseases.
Lansoprazole per se is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,098 assigned to
Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. It is known chemically as (2-[[[3-methyl-4-(2,2,2-
trifluoro-ethoxy)-2-pyridinyl]methyl] sulfinyl]-lH-benzimidazole) and has the
following chemical formula A:
wherein Rj is methyl, R2 is trifluoro-ethoxy, and RT, is hydrogen and R4 is hydrogen.
Omeprazole and pantoprazole share lansoprazole's ability to inhibit gastric acid
secretion.
It is well known that substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfmyl-lHbenzimidazole
compounds and leminoprazole have poor stability when exposed to
acidic conditions. The stability decreases with decreasing pH. For example, the halflife
of an aqueous lansoprazole composition in an acidic condition (pH of 5) is on the
order of about 30 minutes, whereas in a neutral condition (pH of 7) the half-life is on
the order of 18 hours. Furthermore, the stability of these substituted benzimidazole
compounds is adversely affected by heat and moisture.
Substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfinyl-lH-benzimidazole compounds and
leminoprazole are acid labile. These compounds are often designed in an enteric
coated dosage form to avoid degradation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient
(API) at the low pH found in the stomach. However, because enteric coatings are
generally comprised of acidic compounds, direct covering of the substituted
benzimidazole compounds with these types of coatings may cause degradation and
decomposition of the API, causing the active pharmaceutical ingredient preparation to
undergo discoloration and to lose its active ingredient content over time.
Attempts have been made to address the stability problem. One method
involves incorporating an alkaline reacting agent into the substituted 2-(2-
pyridylmethyl) sulfinyl-lH-benzimidazole preparations. For example, U.S. Patent
Nos. 4,628,098, 5,026,560, 6,296,875, 6,123,962, 6,017,560, 5,879,708, 6,639,478,
5,433,959, 5,093,132, 4,689,333 and 5,045,321 disclose a stable pharmaceutical
composition comprising a substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfinyl-lH-benzimidazole
compound and an inorganic alkaline salt. The inorganic alkaline salt in these
preparations is in "even contact" with the substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfinyl-lHbenzimidazole
compound.
U.S. Patent No. 5,626,875 discloses a pharmaceutical formulation comprising
a substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfinyl-lH-benzimidazole compound that is devoid
of an alkaline stabilizer. Instead, a non-alkaline isolation layer is used to separate the
core containing benzimidazole compounds from the acidic enteric coat.
"Stabilized Pharmaceutical Formulation of an Acid Labile Benzimidazole
Compound and Its Preparation" (published in the October 2002 issue of The IP.com
Journal) discloses a stable pharmaceutical formulation in the form of a multiparticulate
delivery system. The system comprises: a) an inert core coated with a
substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfmyl-lH-benzimidazole compound; b) an
intermediate coating comprising an alkaline reacting agent; and, c) an outer enteric
layer. There is no separation between the drug-containing layer and the intermediate
coating that contains any alkaline stabilizing agent.
There is a continuing need for a stable pharmaceutical composition containing
an acid-labile drug, such as a substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl) sulfmyl-lHbenzimidazole
compound or a substituted 2-(phenylmethyl)sulfmyl-lHbenzimidazole
compound, and a method of preparing therefor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a stable pharmaceutical composition of an acid
labile drug, comprising:
a) an inner core coated with the acid labile drug;
b) a first intermediate coating devoid of an alkaline stabilizing agent and the
acid labile drug;
c) a second intermediate coating comprising an alkaline stabilizing agent; and
d) an outer enteric layer.
Preferably, the inner core is made of inert nonpareil sugar spheres. The acid
labile drug, preferably, is a pharmaceutically active substituted benzimidazole
compound. The pharmaceutically active substituted benzimidazole compound may
include lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole and rabeprazole.
Preferably, the pharmaceutically active substituted benzimidazole compound is
lansoprazole.
The first intermediate coating is devoid of an alkaline stabilizing agent and the
acid labile drug; whereas the second intermediate coating comprises an alkaline
stabilizing agent.
The present invention provides a stable pharmaceutical composition
comprising an acid labile drug, preferably a pharmaceutically active substituted
benzimidazole compound, that is resistant to dissolution in acidic dissolution media.
However, the composition dissolves within 1 hour when the media is changed to an
alkaline buffer.
The present invention provides a process of preparing a stable pharmaceutical
composition of an acid labile drug such as a pharmaceutically active substituted
benzimidazole compound, comprising the steps of:
a) coating an inner core with an aqueous suspension comprising the
acid labile drug in the presence of an amine;
b) layering the inner core with a first intermediate coating;
c) layering the first intermediate coating with a second intermediate
coating; and
d) layering the second intermediate coating with an outer enteric
coating,
wherein the first intermediate coating is devoid of an alkaline
stabilizing agent and the acid labile drug and the second intermediate
coating comprises an alkaline stabilizing agent.
Preferably, the inner core is an inert sugar sphere. Preferably, the inner core
has a diameter of about 850 to about 1,000 microns. Alternatively, larger inert sugar
spheres of about 400 to about 500 microns are mixed with smaller inert sugar spheres
of about 250 to about 350 microns in a weight ratio of about 2:1 to about 2.5:0.5 to
form an inert sugar sphere mixture; and an inert sugar sphere from the inert sugar
sphere mixture can be used as the inner core in another preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
Preferably, the aqueous suspension in step a) further comprises hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose and/or talc extra fine. Preferably, the amine in step a) exists as an
aqueous amine solution in the aqueous suspension. Preferably, the acid labile drug is a
pharmaceutically active substituted benzimidazole compound, more preferably,
lansoprazole, and the amine is ammonia. More preferably, the amount of ammonia
used in step a) constitutes about 0.005% to about 0.3% (w/w), preferably about
0.005% to about 0.03% (w/w), of the aqueous suspension used in step a), wherein the
weight of the aqueous suspension includes the weight of the acid labile drug, water,
ammonia and the optional hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and talc extra fine, but it
excludes the weight of the inner core. Even more preferably, an aqueous ammonia
solution of about 30 % (v/v) is added to the aqueous suspension in step a) to provide
the necessary amount of ammonia in step a). For instance, about 0.02% to about
0.1% (w/w) of the 30% (v/v) aqueous ammonia solution can be added to the aqueous
suspension in step a).
Preferably, the first intermediate coating is layered by coating with a
dispersion that comprises talc extra fine and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
Preferably, the second intermediate coating is layered by coating with a
dispersion that comprises hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and magnesium carbonate.
Preferably, the outer enteric coating is layered by a dispersion that comprises
talc extra fine, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate and methacrylic acid copolymer.
Different types of methacrylic acid copolymer can be used, and they include
methacrylic acid copolymer type A (Eudragit® L-100), methacrylic acid copolymer
type B (Eudragit® S-100), methacrylic acid copolymer type C (Eudragit® L 30D55,
Eudragit® L-100-55) and a copolymer of methyacrylic acid methyl methacrylate and
methyl methacrylate (Eudragit® FS).
The acid labile drug such as the pharmaceutically active substituted
benzimidazole compound in the stable pharmaceutical composition of the present
invention is in the form of particles which preferably have a 90th volume percentile
particle size of less than about 35 microns and a specific surface area of more than 0.5
m2/g.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The present invention provides a stable pharmaceutical composition
comprising an acid labile drug such as a pharmaceutically active substituted
benzimidazole compound where there is no physical contact between the acid labile
drug and the second intermediate coating which contains an alkaline stabilizing agent.
The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention has a good long-term
stability.
In this patent application, the term "acid labile drug" refers to any drug,
medicament or active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) that will degrade at a pH of 3.
Examples of "acid labile drug" include pharmaceutically active substituted
benzimidazole compounds, statins (e.g., pravastatin, fluvastatin and atorvastatin),
antiobiotics (e.g., penicillin G, ampicillin, streptomycin, clarithromycin and
azithromycin), dideoxyinosine (ddl or didanosine), dideoxyadenosine (ddA),
dideoxycytosine (ddC), digoxin, pancreatin, bupropion and pharmaceutically
acceptable salts thereof, such as bupropion HC1.
As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically active substituted benzimidazole
compound" refers to any pharmaceutically active substituted 2-(2-pyridylmethyl)-
sulfinyl-lH-benzimidazole compound (e.g., lansoprazole, omeprazole,
hydroxyomeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole, perprazole, pariprazole
and tenatoprazole) and pharmaceutically active substituted 2-(phenylmethyl)-sulfinyl-
IH-benzimidazole compound (e.g., leminoprazole). The term "pharmaceutically
active" means that the substituted benzimidazole compound has a pharmacological
activity after being administered to the body of a subject, so "pharmaceutically active
substituted benzimidazole compound" includes substituted benzimidazole compounds
having a pharmacological activity directly or via certain activation mechanism, e.g.
via hydrolysis yielding a pharmacologically active substance.
In accordance with the present invention, the stable pharmaceutical
composition of the invention shows satisfactory stability under specified storage
conditions. The stability of the composition is monitored, according to the
pharmaceutical industry standard, under accelerated conditions of 40°C and 75%
relative humidity for three months. The term "stable" means that at least 90%,
preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 98% and most preferably at least
99%, by weight of the acid labile drug in the pharmaceutical composition remains
after storage under accelerated conditions of 40°C and 75% relative humidity for three
months.
The stable pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can contain
the acid labile drug or acid labile active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) (e.g.,
lansoprazole) in an amount of from about 2 % to about 30 % (w/w, based on the total
weight of the inner core coated with the acid labile drug). Preferably, the weight of
the acid labile drug is about 6 % to about 16 % of the total weight of the inner core
coated with the acid labile drug. In an alternative embodiment, the weight of the acid
labile drug is preferably about 18% to about 25% of the total weight of the inner core
coated with the acid labile drug. The acid labile drug includes, but is not limited to, a
pharmaceutically active substituted benzimidazole compound. Preferably, the
pharmaceutically active substituted benzimidazole compound is lansoprazole.
Pharmaceutical Composition Comprising An Acid Labile Drug
(1) Inner Core Containing The Acid Labile Drug Such as A Pharmaceutically
Active Substituted Benzimidazole Compound
The inner core is, preferably, made up of inert nonpareil (e.g., sugar spheres)
spheres. The inert nonpareil spheres are exemplified by, but not limited to, sugar
spheres, microcrystalline cellulose spheres, glass beads and coarse grade silicon
dioxide cores. The inert sphere is about 45% to about 90% (w/w) of the inner core
containing the acid labile drug. The inert sphere has a diameter of about 250 to about
1,200 microns; preferably the inert sphere has a diameter of about 850 to about 1,000
microns. Alternatively, in another preferred embodiment of the invention, inert sugar
spheres of about 400 to about 500 microns are mixed with inert sugar spheres of about
250 to about 350 microns in a weight ratio of about 2:1 to about 2.5:0.5 to form an
inert sugar sphere mixture, and an inert sugar sphere taken from the inert sugar sphere
mixture is used as the inner core.
The inner core is coated with an aqueous suspension comprising the acid labile
drug. The coating process is exemplified by a "Wurster"type column-equipped
fluidized bed apparatus (i.e., Bottom spray technique). The aqueous suspension can
comprise: 1) the acid labile drug in an amount of about 4% to about 30 % (w/w) of the
inner core coated with the acid labile drug; 2) a binder polymer in an amount of about
2% to about 16% (w/w) of the inner core coated with the acid labile drug; and 3) an
anti-tackiness agent in an amount of about 2% to about 18% (w/w) of the inner core
coated with the acid labile drug.
Preferably, a small amount of ammonia solution (in a concentration of about
30%, v/v) is added to the layer of the acid labile drug coating the inner core in order
to impart an alkaline environment to the acid labile drug. Because ammonia is highly
volatile during the coating processing, the final pharmaceutical composition does not
contain any residue of ammonia.
Preferably, the acid labile drug is a pharmaceutically active substituted
benzimidazole compound such as lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole,
rabeprazole, pariprazole, perprazole, esomeprazole, hydroxyomeprazole,
tenatoprazole or leminoprazole. More preferably, the acid labile drug is lansoprazole.
More preferably, the binder polymer is made up of one or more (i.e., mixtures)
of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and polyvinyl alcohol.
More preferably, the anti-tackiness agent is made up of one or more (i.e., mixtures) of
talc, monoglycerides, diglycerides and magnesium stearate.
(2) First Intermediate Coating
The first intermediate coating is devoid of an alkaline stabilizing agent as well
as an acid labile drug such as a pharmaceutically active substituted benzimidazole
compound. Instead, the first intermediate layer comprises an inert polymer and an
anti-tackiness agent. Preferably, the inert polymer is made up of one or more (i.e.
mixtures) of binding agents. The binding agents are exemplified by hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and polyvinyl alcohol.
Additional examples of binding agents may include, but are not limited to,
polyvinyl pyrrolidone, starch, methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, sucrose
solution, and dextrose solution. The anti-tackiness agent is exemplified, but are not
limited to, by talc, monoglycerides, diglycerides and magnesium stearate. Additional
anti-tackiness agents may include, but are not limited to, silicon dioxide and metallic
stearates.
The binding agent is sprayed from an aqueous or water-alcoholic suspension.
Preferably, the binding agent is about 20% to about 85% (w/w) of the first
intermediate layer. More preferably, the binding agent is about 30% to about 60%
(w/w) of the first intermediate coating. Preferably, the anti-tackiness agent is about
15% to about 80% (w/w) of the first intermediate coating. More preferably, the antitackiness
agent is about 40% to about 70% (w/w) of the first intermediate coating.
(3) Second Intermediate Coating
The second intermediate coating functions as a moisture barrier; in particular,
as a buffering layer between the inner core containing the acid labile drug and the
outer enteric layer. The second intermediate coating comprises an inert polymer and
an alkaline stabilizing agent.
Preferably, the inert polymer is made up of one or more (i.e., mixtures) of a
binding agent. The binding agent is exemplified by hydroxypropyl methylcellulose,
hydroxypropyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol.
Additional examples of binding agents may include, but are not limited to,
polyvinyl pyrrollidone, starch, methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, sucrose
solution and dextrose solution.
Preferably, the alkaline stabilizing agent is made up of one or more (i.e.,
mixtures) of alkaline stabilizers exemplified, but not limited to, by magnesium
carbonate, magnesium oxide, sodium hydroxide and organic bases such as TRIS
(a.k.a THAM a.k.a tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, (CHaOHCNI) and
meglumine (l-deoxy-l-(methylamino)-D-glucitol). The second intermediate coating
can be made by spraying an aqueous or water-alcohol suspension containing the
necessary ingredients.
Additional examples of alkaline stabilizing agents may include, but are not
limited to, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium metasilicate aluminate, magnesium
silicate aluminate, magnesium silicate, magnesium aluminate, aluminum magnesium
hydroxide, calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium
carbonate and sodium hydrogen carbonate.
Preferably, the inert polymer within the second intermediate coating is about
10% to about 70% (w/w) of the second intermediate coating. More preferably, the
inert polymer within the second intermediate coating is about 35% to about 55%
(w/w) of the second intermediate coating. Preferably, the alkaline stabilizer is about
30% to about 90% (w/w) of the second intermediate coating. More preferably, the
alkaline stabilizer is about 45% to about 65% (w/w) of the second intermediate
coating.
Preferably, the amount of the first intermediate coating and the amount of the
second intermediate coating are, independently, about 2% to about 20% (w/w) of the
inner core coated with the acid labile drug.
(4) Enteric Layer
The enteric layer usually comprises a polymer with enteric properties. The
enteric polymer in the enteric layer is exemplified by methacrylic acid copolymer,
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phtalate and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate
succinate. Different types of methacrylic acid copolymer can be used, and they
include methacrylic acid copolymer type A (Eudragit® L-100), methacrylic acid
copolymer type B (Eudragit® S-100), methacrylic acid copolymer type C (Eudragit®
L 30D55, Eudragit® L-100-55), a copolymer of methacrylic acid methyl methacrylate
and methyl methacrylate (Eudragit® FS) and mixtures thereof, for instance, a mixture
of Eudragit® L-100-55 and Eudragit® S-100 at a weight ratio of about 3:1 to about
2:1, or a mixture of Eudragit® L 30D55 and Eudragit® FS at a weight ratio of about
3:1 to about 5:1.
The enteric layer may further comprises other agents such as cellulose acetate
phthalate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, cellulose acetate trimellitate, shellac and/or
zein.
Optionally, the enteric layer further comprises anti-tackiness agents such as
talc or glyceryl monostearate; plasticizers such as triethylcitrate or polyethylene
glycol; and pigments such as titanium dioxide or ferric oxides.
The enteric layer may further comprise one or more plasticizers including, but
not limited to, acetyl triethyl citrate, acetyltributyl citrate, acetylated monoglycerides,
glycerin, triacetin, propylene glycol, phthalate esters (e.g., diethyl phthalate, dibutyl
phthalate), castor oil, sorbitol and dibutyl seccate.
Preferably, the enteric layer is about 5% to about 65% (w/w) of the stable
pharmaceutical composition of the present invention. Preferably, the enteric polymer
is about 50% to about 80% (w/w) of the enteric layer.
Preferably, the anti-tackiness agent is about 15 to about 60% (w/w) of the
enteric layer. Preferably, the plasticizer is about 5 to about 20% (w/w) of the enteric
layer. Preferably, the pigment is about 0.5 to about 10% (w/w) of the enteric layer.
The stable pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be coated
with one or more enteric layers, seal coatings, film coatings, barrier coatings,
compression coatings, fast disintegrating coatings, or enzyme degradable coatings.
Multiple coatings can be applied for desired performance.
Furthermore, the dosage form of the stable pharmaceutical composition of the
invention can be designed for immediate release, pulsatile release, controlled release,
extended release, delayed release, targeted release, synchronized release, or targeted
delayed release. For release/absorption control, solid carriers can be made of various
component types and levels or thickness of coats, with or without an active ingredient.
Such diverse solid carriers can be blended in a dosage form to achieve a desired
performance. The definitions of these terms are known to those skilled in the art. In
addition, the dosage form release profile can be effected by a multiparticulate
composition, a coated multiparticulate composition, an ion-exchange resin-based
composition, an osmosis-based composition, or a biodegradable polymeric
composition.
Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the release may be
effected through favorable diffusion, dissolution, erosion, ion-exchange, osmosis or
combinations thereof.
When the stable pharmaceutical composition of the invention is formulated as
a capsule, the capsule can be a hard gelatin capsule, a starch capsule, or a cellulosic
capsule. Although not limited to capsules, such dosage forms can further be coated
with, for example, a seal coating, an enteric coating, an extended release coating, or a
targeted delayed release coating. These various coatings are known in the art.
In one of the embodiments of the stable pharmaceutical composition of the
present invention, the acid labile drug is particulate lansoprazole having a 90th volume
percentile particle size of less than about 35 microns and a specific surface area of
more than 0.5 m2/g.
Preparation of the Pharmaceutical Composition: Coating Process
The coating process is exemplified by the following steps using a "Wurster"
type column-equipped fluidized bed apparatus (Bottom spray technique). The sugar
spheres of the inner core are preferably about 45 to about 90% (w/w) of the inner core
coated with the acid labile drug. Preferably, the sugar spheres have a diameter of
about 250 to about 1,200 microns. Alternatively, in another preferred embodiment of
the invention, inert sugar spheres of about 400 to about 500 microns are mixed with
inert sugar spheres of about 250 to about 350 microns in a weight ratio of about 2:1 to
about 2.5:0.5 to form a mixture; and an inert sugar sphere from the mixture is used as
the inner core. The inner core is coated with an aqueous suspension. The aqueous
suspension comprises a) an acid labile drug such as a pharmaceutically active
substituted benzimidazole compound in an amount of about 4 to about 30% (w/w)
based on the total weight of the inner core coated with the acid labile drug; b) a binder
polymer in an amount of about 2 to about 16% (w/w) based on the total weight of the
inner core coated with the acid labile drug and c) an anti-tackiness agent in an amount
of about 2 to about 18% (w/w) based on the total weight of the inner core coated with
the acid labile compound.
It is known that coating processes of nonpareil cores with drug layers in
fluidized bed apparatus can be very time consuming, especially when working at large
scales. It was found that the addition of small quantities of a strong aqueous ammonia
solution (wherein the concentration of the strong aqueous ammonia solution can be
about 20% to about 40%, preferably -30%, v/v) to the drug layer imparts an alkaline
environment to the active ingredient during processing. The added ammonia enhanced
the stability of lansoprazole in the aqueous state and allowed spraying processes to
continue upwards of 30 hours. Ammonia is known to be volatile and it evaporates
during the coating process, so that it is not present in the final stable pharmaceutical
composition. Therefore, when no alkalizing agents are to be present in the final
sprayed layer, the aqueous suspension comprising the acid labile drug has to be
temporarily stable until the layer is sprayed and the drug is deposited in dry state,
which enhances its stability.
In order to obtain high drug potency by fluidized bed coating techniques,
active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) particles having a specific surface area of
more than 0.5m2/g and a 90th volume percentile particle size of less than about 35
microns are preferably used. "Specific surface area" represents the total particle
surface, expressed in m contained within 1 gram of particles of a given material and
"90th volume percentile" is defined as the diameter of particles below which 90% of
the measured samples volume lies.
The present invention also provides a method of treating a disease selected
from gastric or duodenal ulcer, severe erosive esophagitis, Zolinger-Ellison syndrome,
gastroesophageal reflux and H. pylori infection, comprising administrating an
effective amount of a stable pharmaceutical composition of the invention to a subject
inflicted with the disease, preferably a subject in need of the treatment, wherein the
acid labile drug in the stable pharmaceutical composition is selected from
lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, hydroxyomeprazole,
esomeprazole, pariprazole, perprazole, tenatoprazole, leminoprazole and
pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
The present invention is also directed toward a pharmaceutical composition of
an acid labile drug, comprising an inner core coated with the acid labile drug, wherein
the acid labile drug can degrade at pH 3, and wherein the acid labile drug is in a
particulate form having a 90th volume percentile particle size of less than about 35
microns and a specific surface area of more than 0.5 m2/g. Examples of the acid
labile drug include the examples given for the stable pharmaceutical composition
described above, with lansoprazole and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts being
preferred. The present invention also provides a process of preparing the
pharmaceutical composition of the acid labile drug, wherein the steps are as described
for coating the inner core of the stable pharmaceutical composition with the acid
labile drug.
The following non-limiting examples further illustrate the invention.
Example 1
A. Drug Layer (Inner Core Coated with Pharmaceutically Active
Substituted Benzimidazole Compound)
Drug Layer Coating Suspension
3.3 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 47.3 kg of
purified water. 40 gms of strong ammonia solution (30%, v/v) were added. 3.3 kg
talc extra fine was added and the solution was stirred. 6.6 kg lansoprazole was added
and stirred until a homogeneous suspension was obtained. The homogeneous
suspension was de-aerated overnight.
39.6 kg sugar spheres (850-1,000 micron) were introduced into a fluidized bed
apparatus and the aforementioned suspension was sprayed onto the spheres. Then the
spheres were dried, sifted through both a 14 mesh screen and a 30 mesh screen and
were replaced into the fluidized bed apparatus for further coating.
B. Sub-Coat I (First Intermediate Coating)
Sub-Coat I Coating Suspension
0.8 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 9.2 kg of
purified water. 1.17 kg talc extra fine was homogenized in 2.25 kg purified water.
The homogenized talc suspension was added to hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
dispersion and stirred. The sub-coat suspension was sprayed onto 48 kg of drug
layered pellets, i.e., the inner core coated with lansoprazole, hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose and talc extra fine, from step A. The spheres were then dried, sifted
through both a 14 mesh screen and a 30 mesh screen and replaced into the fluidized
bed apparatus for further coating.
C. Sub-Coat II (Second Intermediate Coating)
Sub-Coat II Coating Suspension
1.5 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 32.4 kg of
purified water. 2.25 kg magnesium carbonate was added and stirred until a
homogeneous suspension was obtained.
The sub-coat suspension was sprayed onto 47.5 kg of bi-layered pellets from
step B. The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 14 mesh screen and a 30
mesh screen and replaced into the fluidized bed apparatus for further coating.
D. Enteric Layer
Enteric Coating Dispersion
2.43 kg of talc extra fine, 0.27 kg of titanium dioxide and 0.54 kg of triethyl
citrate were dispersed in 22.75 kg of purified water. 19.2 kg of methacrylic acid
copolymer dispersion was added and stirred.
The enteric coating dispersion was sprayed onto 48.6 kg of spheres from step
C. The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 14 mesh screen and a 30 mesh
screen and filled into hard gelatin capsules.
Example 2
Reference For Comparison (Alkaline Stabilizer Within Core)
A. Drug Layer (Inner Core Coated With Pharmaceutically Active
Substituted Benzimidazole Compound)
Drug Layer Coating Suspension
3.9 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 50.9 kg of
purified water. 40 grams of a strong ammonia solution (30%, v/v) were added. 4.46
kg magnesium carbonate (MgCCb) was added and stirred. 5.89 kg lansoprazole was
added and stirred until a homogeneous suspension was obtained. The homogeneous
suspension was de-aerated overnight.
35.1 kg of sugar spheres (850-1,000 micron) were introduced into a fluidized
bed apparatus and the aforementioned suspension was sprayed onto the spheres. The
spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 14 mesh screen and a 30 mesh screen
and replaced into the fluidized bed apparatus for further coating.
B. Enteric Coating
Enteric Coating Dispersion
3.15 kg of talc extra fine, 0.35 kg of titanium dioxide and 0.7 kg of triethyl
citrate were homogenized in 29.57 kg of purified water. 25.08 kg of methacrylic acid
copolymer dispersion was added and stirred.
The enteric coating dispersion was sprayed onto 44.28 kg of drug coated
spheres from the previous step. The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 14
mesh screen and a 30 mesh screen and replaced into the fluidized bed apparatus for
further coating.
Example 3
A. Drug Layer (Inner Core Coated with Pharmaceutically Active
Substituted Benzimidazole Compound)
Drug Layer Coating Suspension
0.21 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 3.0 kg of
purified water. 4 grams of a strong ammonia solution (30%, v/v) were added. 0.21
kg talc extra fine was added and the solution was stirred. 0.55 kg lansoprazole was
added and stirred until a homogeneous suspension was obtained. The homogeneous
suspension was de-aerated.
0.65 kg sugar spheres (250-350 micron) and 0.33 kg sugar spheres (400-500
micron) were introduced into a fluidized bed apparatus and the aforementioned
suspension was sprayed onto the spheres. Then the spheres were dried, sifted through
both a 60 mesh screen and a 30 mesh screen and were replaced into the fluidized bed
apparatus for further coating.
B. Sub-Coat I (First Intermediate Coating)
Sub-Coat I Coating Suspension
0.084 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 0.87 kg
of purified water. 0.13 kg talc extra fine was added and stirred. The sub-coat
suspension was sprayed onto 0.68 kg of drug layered pellets, i.e., the inner core coated
with lansoprazole and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and talc extra fine from stepA.
The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 60 mesh screen and a 25 mesh
screen and replaced into the fluidized bed apparatus for further coating.
C. Sub-Coat II (Second Intermediate Coating)
Sub-Coat II Coating Suspension
0.21kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 1.2 kg of
purified water. 0.21 kg magnesium carbonate was added and stirred until a
homogeneous suspension was obtained.
The sub-coat suspension was sprayed onto 1.87 kg of bi-layered pellets from
step B. The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 60 mesh screen and a 25
mesh screen and replaced into the fluidized bed apparatus for further coating.
D. Enteric Layer
Enteric Coating Dispersion
0.078 kg of talc extra fine, 0.016 kg of titanium dioxide and 0.02kg of triethyl
citrate were dispersed in 0.55kg of acetone USP and 0.37kg of isopropyl alcohol NF.
0.22 kg methacrylic acid copolymer (Eudragit® L-100-55) was dissolved in a
mixture of 0.97 kg of acetone USP and 0.65 kg of isopropyl alcohol NF. The
dispersion was added to the metacrylic acid copolymer solution and stirred.
The enteric coating dispersion was sprayed onto 0.63 kg of spheres from step
C. The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 60 mesh screen and a 20 mesh
screen and filled into hard gelatin capsules or processed further for tabletting.
Example 4
A. Drug Layer (Inner Core Coated with Pharmaceutically Active Substituted
Benzimidazole Compound)
Drug Layer Coating Suspension
0.21 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 3.0 kg of
purified water. 4 gms of strong ammonia solution (30% v/v) were added. 0.21 kg
talc extra fine was added and the solution was stirred. 0.55 kg lansoprazole was
added and stirred until a homogeneous suspension was obtained. The homogeneous
suspension was de-aerated.
0.65 kg sugar spheres (250-350 micron) and 0.33 kg sugar spheres (400-500
micron) were introduced into a fluidized bed apparatus and the aforementioned
suspension was sprayed onto the spheres. Then the spheres were dried, sifted through
both a 60 mesh screen and a 30 mesh screen and were replaced into the fluidized bed
apparatus for further coating.
B. Sub-Coat I (First Intermediate Coating)
Sub-Coat I Coating Suspension
0.084 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 0.87 kg
of purified water. 0.13 kg talc extra fine was added and stirred. The sub-coat
suspension was sprayed onto 0.68 kg of drug layered pellets, i.e., the inner core coated
with lansoprazole and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and talc extra fine from stepA.
The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 60 mesh screen and a 25 mesh
screen and replaced into the fluidized bed apparatus for further coating.
C. Sub-Coat II (Second Intermediate Coating)
Sub-Coat II Coating Suspension
0.21kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 1.2 kg of
purified water. 0.21 kg magnesium carbonate was added and stirred until a
homogeneous suspension was obtained.
The sub-coat suspension was sprayed onto 1.87 kg of bi-layered pellets from
step B. The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 60 mesh screen and a 25
mesh screen and replaced into the fluidized bed apparatus for further coating.
D. Enteric Layer
Enteric Coating Dispersion
0.09 kg of talc extra fine, 0.007 kg of titanium dioxide and 0. 0.03 kg of
triethyl citrate were dispersed in 1.5 kg of purified water USP. 1.17kg methacrylic
acid copolymer dispersion (Eudragit® L-30 D-55) and 0.3 kg of a copolymer of
methacrylic acid methyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (Eudragit® FS 30D)
were mixed. The dispersion was added to the mixture of polymer dispersions and
stirred.
The enteric coating dispersion was sprayed onto 0.63 kg of spheres from step
C. The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 60 mesh screen and a 20 mesh
screen and filled into hard gelatin capsules or processed further for tabletting.
Example 5
A. Drug Layer (Inner Core Coated with Pharmaceutically Active
Substituted Benzimidazole Compound)
Drug Layer Coating Suspension
0.21 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 3.0 kg of
purified water. 4 gms of a strong ammonia solution (30%, v/v) were added. 0.21 kg
talc extra fine was added and the dispersion was stirred. 0.55 kg lansoprazole was
added and stirred until a homogeneous suspension was obtained. The homogeneous
suspension was de-aerated.
0.65 kg sugar spheres (250-350 micron) and 0.33 kg sugar spheres (400-500
micron) were introduced into a fluidized bed apparatus and the aforementioned
suspension was sprayed onto the spheres. Then the spheres were dried, sifted through
both a 60 mesh screen and a 30 mesh screen and were replaced into the fluidized bed
apparatus for further coating.
B. Sub-Coat I (First Intermediate Coating)
Sub-Coat I Coating Suspension
0.084 kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 0.87 kg
of purified water. 0.13 kg talc extra fine was added and stirred. The sub-coat
suspension was sprayed onto 0.68 kg of drug layered pellets, i.e., the inner core coated
with lansoprazole and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and talc extra fine from stepA.
The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 60 mesh screen and a 25 mesh
screen and replaced into the fluidized bed apparatus for further coating.
C. Sub-Coat II (Second Intermediate Coating)
Sub-Coat II Coating Suspension
0.21kg of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose NF 6 cps was dispersed in 1.2 kg of
purified water. 0.21 kg magnesium carbonate was added and stirred until a
homogeneous suspension was obtained.
D. Enteric Layer
Enteric Coating Dispersion
0.076 kg of talc extra fine, 0.007 kg of titanium dioxide and 0.022kg of
triethyl citrate were dispersed in 0.67kg of alcohol 95% USP. 0.14 kg methacrylic
acid copolymer (Eudragit® L-100-55) was dissolved in 1.44 Kg alcohol 95% USP.
0.058 kg methacrylic acid copolymer type B (Eudragit® S-l 00) was dissolved in
0.72Kg alcohol 95% USP. The dispersion was added to the mixture of the
methacrylic acid copolymer solution and stirred.
The enteric coating dispersion was sprayed onto 0.63 kg of spheres from step
C. The spheres were then dried, sifted through both a 60mesh screen and a 20 mesh
screen and filled into hard gelatin capsules or processed further for tabletting.
Stability of the final pharmaceutical formulation
The final pellet preparation was filled into gelatin capsules and was stored in
high density polypropylene (HDPE) bottles of the following fill sizes: 30 caps (40 cc
bottle), 100 caps (150 cc bottle) and 1,000 caps (1500 cc bottle).
These packaging types were submitted to accelerated storage conditions at
40°C and 75% relative humidity. The results of the formulations are summarized in
(Table Removed)
Assay refers to the assay measurement of lansoprazole by an in-house method.
HPLC Determination: Chromatographic System Column & Packaging: CIS (2);
Mobile Phase: water: acetonitrile: triethylamine 60:40:1 (v/v/v) adjusted to pH
7.0±0.05, UV at 285 nm.
IDD represents "impurity degradation product" measured by the same HPLC in house
method.
Represents the amount of lansoprazole based on HPLC peak area.
"Represents the amount of impurity or degradation product in the lansoprazole based
on HPLC peak area.
Table 1 demonstrates the superior stability of the stable pharmaceutical
formulation of the present invention over the formulation containing an alkaline
reacting compound in vicinity of the acid labile benzimidazole.
Results of long term stability studies of the stable pharmaceutical formulation
of the present invention stored at 25°C and 60% relative humidity, or 30°C and 60%
relative humidity are summarized in Tables 2 and 3, respectively.
(Table Removed)
Stability of the Drug Layer Coating Suspension
Preparation of the Drug Layer Coating Suspension:
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was dispersed in purified water and strong
ammonia solution (30%, v/v) was added. Talc extra fine was then added and the
suspension was stirred until homogeneity was obtained. Lansoprazole was added and
stirred until homogeneous suspension was obtained. The homogeneous suspension
was de-aerated overnight. Suspension samples were retrieved at the end of the
preparation process (time zero) and at 10, 20, and 30 hours later.
Drug Potency: The drug potency of the suspension was measured by HPLC
method, corresponding to the assay measurement method of the in-house lansoprazole
monograph.
HPLC Determination: Chromatographic System Column & Packaging: C18
(2), Mobile Phase: Water: Acetonitrile: thiethylamine 60:40:1 (v/v/v) adjusted to pH
7.0±0.05, UV at 285 nra.
The results in Table 4 summarize the findings and demonstrate the stability of
the drug layer coating suspension over a period of 30 hours.
(Table Removed)
Based on the amount of lansoprazole added to the suspension.
Drug Potency, Particle Size and Specific Surface Area
The present invention provides an improved drug layering process. It was
found that the particle size and specific surface area of the Active Pharmaceutical
Ingredient (API) affected the drug layering process.
Malvernsizer S uses the volume of the particle to measure its size. For nonspherical
and irregular particles, the diameter of an imaginary sphere that is
equivalent in volume to the examined particle is calculated and the distribution
derived. The results are presented as standard "percentile" readings: D(0.5), D(O.l)
and D(0.9).
It is known to those skilled in the art that the drug layering process, performed
with fluidized bed coating techniques, can yield low drug potency (assay).
Low drug potency can result due to the possible combined effects of the phenomena
of "spray drying" of the API solution/suspension before it reaches or adheres to the
substrate, and/or abrasion of the drug (API) coated spheres during the layering
process.
Using lansoprazole particles having a nominal diameter of below about 35
microns, it was found that such mean particle size improved the drug layering yield
(Assay). Furthermore, it was found that characterization of the drug or API particles
by their "size" is not enough to ensure that a high drug layering potency is obtained.
API specific surface area is equally important. It was found that lansoprazole
particles having a specific surface area of less than 0.5m2/g and a 90lh volume
percentile particle size of less than 35 microns did not yield the expected high
potency.
All lansoprazole batches were measured by Malvern Laser Diffraction
Mastersizer instrumentation model Mastersizer S. The Malvern Laser Diffraction
Sizer uses the principle of light diffraction from particles in a liquid medium as the
measurement means. The Mastersizer S can be used on particles ranging from 0.05 to
900 microns (laser X= 633nm). The diffraction light pattern (He-Ne laser) is
dependent on the particle size. The laser diffraction pattern is measured and correlated
to the particle size distribution based on Fraunhofer or Mie theory. The use of Mie
theory presupposes knowledge of the light refractive index of the particles and the
dispersion media and the imaginary part of the refractive index of the particles.
The laser diffraction instrument Malvern Mastersizer 2000 has the following
units: Flow-through cell for dispersion of particles in liquid media and small sample
dispersion unit model DIF-2022 n in liquid media, Hydro uP, Dry dispenser for
dispersion of particles in air, Scirroco 2000. The drug was dispersed in light liquid
paraffin, and microscope evaluation was also performed. D(0.5) stands for the
diameter of a particle larger than 50%, based on the total volume of all particles, of
the particles in the particle sample. This value is also called Mass Median Diameter
or Volume Median Diameter.
D(O.l) and D(0.9) are the diameters of particles below which 10% and 90% of
the particle sample volume lie, respectively.
All lansoprazole batches were characterized by specific surface area
measurement by Brunaver, Emmett and Teller (BET) method. The BET method is
based on the adsorption of a condensable inert gas on the solid surface at reduced
temperatures. Surface area obtained by the method provides information about the
void spaces on the surface of the individual particles or aggregates. The BET surface
equation is based on Langmur's kinetic theory of mono layer gas adsorption. BET
expended the theory to multi molecular layer adsorption.
The instrument setup consists of a dewar containing a pure adsorbate (for
example, nitrogen or krypton), carrier gas supply (helium), sample holder and
detector. The sampler holder can allow the gas to flow, or a vacuum can be pulled on
the sample.
Micromeritics Accelerated Surface Area and Porosity instrument ASAP 2000
with nitrogen as adsorbate was used. Specific surface area from abut 0.0005 m2 /g
(Kr) can be measured, no known upper limit. Pressure range: 0-950 mmHg. Vacuum
system: two independent 2-stage mechanical pumps; one for analysis and one for
degassing. Ultimate vacuum: 0.005 mm Hg. Nitrogen was used as analysis gas.
Samples were kept in vacuum to room temperature overnight and than heated at
120°C for 20 minutes. The samples were measured by single point BET method.
Drug Layering Procedure: a lansoprazole containing suspension is sprayed
onto non-pareils (sugar sphere) with the aid of a fluidized bed technique, such as the
Wurster-column equipped bottom spray procedure.
The drug potency (assay) was measured by the in-house method based on the
lansoprazole USP monograph. HPLC Determination: Chromatograhic System
Column & Packaging: CIS (2); Mobile Phase: Water: Acetonitrile: triethylamine
60;40:1 (v/v/v), adjusted to pH 7.0±0.05 with concentrated H3PO4, UV at 285 nm.
The effects of the particle size, and specific surface area upon obtained drug
potency after the drug layering process are summarized in Table 5. They show that a
particle size having D(0.9) less than 35 microns yields superior drug potencies of
more than 95.0%. However, this rule does not include lots with low specific surface
area (see Batch no. 6).
(Table Removed)
The disclosures of the cited publications are incorporated herein in their
entireties by reference. It is to be understood, however, that the scope of the present
invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described above. The
invention may be practiced other than as particularly described and still be within the
scope of the accompanying claims.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A stable pharmaceutical composition of an acid labile drug, comprising:
a) an inner core coated with the acid labile drug;
b) a first intermediate coating devoid of an alkaline stabilizing
agent and the acid labile drug;
c) a second intermediate coating comprising an alkaline
stabilizing agent; and
d) an outer enteric layer,
wherein the acid labile drug can degrade at pH 3.
2. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the inner core is an
inert sphere.
3. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein the inert sphere is a
nonpareil sugar sphere.
4. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein the inert sphere has a
weight of about 45% to about 90% of the total weight of the inner core coated
with the acid labile drug.
5. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 2, wherein the inert sphere has a
diameter of about 250 to about 1,200 microns.
6. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 5, wherein the inert sphere has a
diameter of about 850 to about 1,000 microns.
7. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the inner core is an
inert sugar sphere taken from a mixture of inert sugar spheres of about 400 to
about 500 microns and inert sugar spheres of about 250 to about 350 microns
mixed in a weight ratio of about 2:1 to about 2.5:0.5.
8. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the acid labile drug is
a pharmaceutically active substituted benzimidazole compound.
9. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 8, wherein the pharmaceutically
active substituted benzimidazole compound is selected from lansoprazole,
omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, hydroxyomeprazole, esomeprazole,
pariprazole, perprazole, tenatoprazole, leminoprazole and pharmaceutically
'acceptable salts thereof.
10. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 9, wherein the pharmaceutical ly
active substituted benzimidazole compound is lansoprazole or a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt thereof.
11. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the inner core is
coated with about 2% to about 30% (w/w, based on the total weight of the acid
labile drug coated inner core) of the acid labile drug.
12. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein the inner core is
coated with about 6% to about 16% (w/w, based on the total weight of the acid
labile drug coated inner core) of the acid labile drug.
13. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein the inner core is
coated with about 18% to about 25% (w/w, based on the total weight of the acid
labile drug coated inner core) of the acid labile drug.
14. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the first intermediate
coating comprises:
a) a binding agent comprising an inert polymer; and
b) an anti-tackiness agent.
15. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 14, wherein the binding agent is
about 20% to about 85% (w/w) of the first intermediate coating.
16. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 14, wherein the anti-tackiness
agent is about 15% to about 80% (w/w) of the first intermediate coating.
17. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 14, wherein the binding agent is
at least one component selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl
pyrrolidone, starch, carboxymethylcellulose, sucrose and dextrose.
18. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 14, wherein the anti-tackiness
agent is at least one component selected from the group consisting of talc,
monoglycerides, diglycerides and magnesium stearate.
19. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the second
intermediate coating comprises:
a) an inert polymer; and
b) an alkaline stabilizing agent.
20. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 19, wherein the inert polymer is
about 10% to about 70% (w/w) of the second intermediate coating.
21. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 20, wherein the inert polymer is
about 35% to about 55% (w/w) of the second intermediate coating.
22. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 19, wherein the alkaline
stabilizing agent is about 30% to about 90% (w/w) of the second intermediate
coating.
23. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 22, wherein the alkaline
stabilizing agent is about 45% to about 65% (w/w) of the second intermediate
coating.
24. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 19, wherein the inert polymer is
at least one component selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol.
25. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 19, wherein the alkaline
stabilizing agent is at least one component selected from the group consisting of
magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, sodium hydroxide, magnesium
hydroxide, magnesium metasilicate aluminate, magnesium silicate aluminate,
magnesium silicate, magnesium aluminate, aluminum magnesium hydroxide,
calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate,
sodium hydrogen carbonate and an organic base.
26. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 25, wherein the organic base is
tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethaneor l-deoxy-l-(methylamino)-D-glucitol.
27. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the weight of the first
intermediate coating is about 2% to about 20% of the total weight of the inner
core coated with the acid labile drug.
28. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the weight of the
second intermediate coating is about 2% to about 20% of the total weight of the
inner core coated with the acid labile drug.
29. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the outer enteric layer
comprises a polymer.
30. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 29, wherein the polymer is
selected from methacrylic acid copolymer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
phtalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, methacrylic acid
copolymer type A (Eudragit® L-100), methacrylic acid copolymer type B
Eudragit® S-100), methacrylic acid copolymer type C (Eudragit® L 30D55,
Eudragit® L-100-55), a copolymer of methacrylic acid methyl methacrylate and
methyl methacrylate (Eudragit® FS), and mixtures thereof.
31. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 30, wherein the polymer is a
mixture of methacrylic acid copolymer type C (Eudragit® L-100-55) and
methacrylic acid copolymer type B (Eudragit® S-100) at a weight ratio of about
3:1 to about 2:1, or a mixture of methacrylic acid copolymer type C (Eudragit® L
30D55) and a copolymer of methacrylic acid methyl methacrylate and methyl
methacrylate (Eudragit® FS) at a weight ratio of about 3:1 to about 5:1.
32. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 29, wherein the polymer is about
50% to about 80% (w/w) of the outer enteric layer.
33. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 29, wherein the outer enteric
layer further comprises a plasticizer.
34. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 33, wherein the plasticizer is
triethylcitrate or polyethylene glycol.
35. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 33, wherein the plasticizer is
about 5% to about 20% (w/w) of the polymer weight.
36. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 29, wherein the outer enteric
layer further comprises an anti-tackiness agent.
37. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 36, wherein the anti-tackiness
agent is about 15% to about 60% (w/w) of the outer enteric layer.
38. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 29, wherein the outer enteric
layer further comprises a pigment.
39. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 38, wherein the pigment is
titanium dioxide or ferric oxide.
40. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 39, wherein the pigment is about
0.5% to about 10% (w/w) of the polymer in the outer enteric layer.
41. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 29, wherein the weight of the
outer enteric layer is about 5% to about 65% of the weight of the stable
pharmaceutical composition.
42. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the stable
pharmaceutical composition is stable under storage at 40°C and 75% relative
humidity for at least about 3 months.
43. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the stable
pharmaceutical composition is in the form of a tablet, an ovule, a chewable tablet,
a buccal tablet, a sub-lingual tablet, a granule, a pellet, a bead, or a pill.
44. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 43, wherein the stable
pharmaceutical composition is in the form of an orally disintegrating tablet.
45. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 43, wherein the tablet comprises
compressed beads.
46. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the stable
pharmaceutical composition is formulated for immediate release, controlled
release, extended release, delayed released, targeted release, or targeted delayed
release.
47. A process of preparing a stable pharmaceutical composition of an acid labile drug,
comprising the steps of:
a) coating an inner core with an aqueous suspension comprising the
acid labile drug in the presence of an amine;
b) layering a first intermediate coating on the inner core to obtain a
first coated inner core;
c) layering a second intermediate coating on the first coated inner
core to obtain a second coated inner core; and
d) layering an enteric layer on the second coated inner core ,
wherein the first intermediate coating is devoid of an alkaline
stabilizing agent and the acid labile drug and the second intermediate
coating comprising an alkaline stabilizing agent,
wherein the acid labile drug can degrade at pH 3.
48. The process of claim 47, wherein the inner core is a sugar sphere having a
diameter of about 250 to about 1,200 microns.
49. The process of claim 48, wherein the sugar sphere has a diameter of about 850 to
about 1,000 microns.
50. The process of claim 47, wherein the inner core is an inert sugar sphere taken
from a mixture of inert sugar spheres of about 400 to about 500 microns and inert
sugar spheres of about 250 to about 350 microns mixed in a weight ratio of about
2:1 to about 2.5:0.5.
51. The process of claim 47, wherein the inner core is an inert sphere, said inert
sphere constituting about 45% to about 90% of the total weight of the inner core
coated with the acid labile drug.
52. The process of claim 47, wherein the aqueous suspension further comprises
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and talc extra fine.
53. The process of claim 47, wherein the amine is added as an aqueous amine solution
in step a).
54. The process of claim 53, wherein the amine is ammonia.
55. The process of claim 54, wherein the weight of ammonia used in step a)
constitutes about 0.005% to about 0.3% of the weight of the aqueous suspension
used in step a).
56. The process of claim 54, wherein the ammonia is added as an aqueous ammonia
solution in step a).
57. The process of claim 56, wherein the aqueous ammonia solution has a
concentration of about 20% to about 40%, v/v.
58. The process of claim 57, wherein the aqueous ammonia solution has a
concentration of about 30%, v/v.
59. The process of claim 47, wherein the acid labile drug is a pharmaceutically active
substituted benzimidazole compound.
60. The process of claim 59, wherein the pharmaceutically active substituted
benzimidazole compound is selected from omeprazole, lansoprazole,
pantoprazole, rabeprazole, hydroxyomeprazole, esomeprazole, pariprazole,
perprazole, tenatoprazole, leminoprazole and pharmaceutically acceptable salts
thereof.
61. The process of claim 60, wherein the pharmaceutically active substituted
benzimidazole compound is lansoprazole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt
thereof.
62. The process of claim 47, wherein the inner core is coated with about 2% to about
30% (w/w, based on the total weight of the acid labile drug coated inner core) of
the acid labile drug.
63. The process of claim 62, wherein the inner core is coated with about 6% to about
16% (w/w, based on the total weight of the acid labile drug coated inner core) of
the acid labile drug.
64. The process of claim 62, wherein the inner core is coated with about 18% to about
25% (w/w, based on the total weight of the acid labile drug coated inner core) of
the acid labile drug.
65. The process of claim 47, wherein the first intermediate coating is made up of a
dispersion comprising hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and talc extra fine.
66. The process of claim 47, wherein the second intermediate coating is made up of a
dispersion comprising hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and magnesium carbonate.
67. The process of claim 47, wherein the enteric layer is made up of a dispersion
comprising talc extra fine, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate and methacrylic acid
copolymer.
68. The process of claim 47, wherein the acid labile drug is in a particulate form
having a 90th volume percentile particle size of less than about 35 microns and a
specific surface area of more than 0.5 m2/g.
69. The process of claim 47, wherein the aqueous suspension in step a) comprises: 1)
the acid labile drug in an amount of about 4% to about 30 % (w/w) of the inner
core coated with the acid labile drug; 2) a binder polymer in an amount of about
2% to about 16% (w/w) of the inner core coated with the acid labile drug; and 3)
an anti-tackiness agent in an amount of about 2% to about 18% (w/w) of the inner
core coated with the acid labile drug.
70. The process of claim 47, wherein the first intermediate coating comprises:
c) a binding agent comprising an inert polymer; and
d) an anti-tackiness agent.
71. The process of claim 70, wherein the binding agent is about 20% to about 85%
(w/w) of the first intermediate coating.
72. The process of claim 70, wherein the anti-tackiness agent is about 15% to about
80% (w/w) of the first intermediate coating.
73. The process of claim 70, wherein the binding agent is at least one component
selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose,
hydroxypropylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, starch,
carboxymethylcellulose, sucrose and dextrose.
74. The process of claim 70, wherein the anti-tackiness agent is at least one
component selected from the group consisting of talc, monoglycerides,
diglycerides and magnesium stearate.
75. The process of claim 47, wherein the second intermediate coating comprises:
c) an inert polymer; and
d) an alkaline stabilizing agent.
76. The process of claim 75, wherein the inert polymer is about 10% to about 70%
(w/w) of the second intermediate coating.
77. The process of claim 76, wherein the inert polymer is about 35% to about 55%
(w/w) of the second intermediate coating.
78. The process of claim 75, wherein the alkaline stabilizing agent is about 30% to
about 90% (w/w) of the second intennediate coating.
79. The process of claim 78, wherein the alkaline stabilizing agent is about 45% to
about 65% (w/w) of the second intermediate coating.
80. The process of claim 75, wherein the inert polymer is at least one component
selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose,
hydroxypropyl cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol.
81. The process of claim 75, wherein the alkaline stabilizing agent is at least one
component selected from the group consisting of magnesium carbonate,
magnesium oxide, sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium
metasilicate aluminate, magnesium silicate aluminate, magnesium silicate,
magnesium aluminate, aluminum magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate,
calcium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen
carbonate and an organic base.
82. The process of claim 81, wherein the organic base is
tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane or 1 -deoxy-1 -(methylamino)-D-glucitol.
83. The process of claim 47, wherein the weight of the first intermediate coating is
about 2% to about 20% of the total weight of the inner core coated with the acid
labile drug.
84. The process of claim 47, wherein the weight of the second intennediate coating is
about 2% to about 20% of the total weight of the inner core coated with the acid
labile drug.
85. The process of claim 47, wherein the enteric layer comprises a polymer.
86. The process of claim 85, wherein the polymer is selected from methacrylic acid
copolymer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phtalate, hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose acetate succinate, methacrylic acid copolymer type A (Eudragit®
L-100), methacrylic acid copolymer type B (Eudragit® S-100), methacrylic acid
copolymer type C (Eudragit® L 30D55, Eudragit® L-l00-55), a copolymer of
methacrylic acid methyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (Eudragit® FS),
and mixtures thereof.
87. The process of claim 86, wherein the polymer is a mixture of Eudragit® L-100-55
and Eudragit® S-100 at a weight ratio of about 3:1 to about 2:1, or a mixture of
Eudragit® L 30D55 and Eudragit® FS at a weight ratio of about 3:1 to about 5:1.
88. The process of claim 85, wherein the polymer is about 50% to about 80% (w/w)
of the enteric layer.
89. The process of claim 85, wherein the enteric layer further comprises a plasticizer.
90. The process of claim 89, wherein the plasticizer is triethylcitrate or polyethylene
glycol.
91. The process of claim 89, wherein the plasticizer is about 5% to about 20% (w/w)
of the polymer weight.
92. The process of claim 85, wherein the enteric layer further comprises an anti-
. tackiness agent.
93. The process of claim 92, wherein the anti-tackiness agent is about 15% to about
60% (w/w) of the enteric layer.
94. The process of claim 85, wherein the enteric layer further comprises a pigment.
95. The process of claim 94, wherein the pigment is titanium dioxide or ferric oxide.
96. The process of claim 94, wherein the pigment is about 0.5% to about 10% (w/w)
of the polymer in the enteric layer.
97. The process of claim 85, wherein the weight of the enteric layer is about 5% to
about 65% of the weight of the stable pharmaceutical composition.
98. The process of claim 47, wherein the acid labile drug is selected from pravastatin,
fluvastatin, atorvastatin, penicillin G, ampicillin, streptomycin, clarithromycin,
azithromycin, dideoxyinosine, dideoxyadenosine, dideoxycytosine, digoxin,
pancreatin, bupropion, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole,
hydroxyomeprazole, esomeprazole, pariprazole, perprazole, tenatoprazole,
leminoprazole and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
99. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the acid labile drug is
selected from pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, penicillin G, ampicillin,
streptomycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, dideoxyinosine, dideoxyadenosine,
dideoxycytosine, digoxin, pancreatin, bupropion, lansoprazole, omeprazole,
pantoprazole, rabeprazole, hydroxyomeprazole, esomeprazole, pariprazole,
perprazole, tenatoprazole, leminoprazole and pharmaceutically acceptable salts
thereof.
100. The stable pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the acid labile drug
is in a participate form having a 90th volume percentile particle size of less than
about 35 microns and a specific surface area of more than 0.5 m2/g.
101. A pharmaceutical composition of an acid labile drug, comprising an inner core
coated with the acid labile drug, wherein the acid labile drug can degrade at pH
3, and wherein the acid labile drug is in a particulate form having a 90th volume
percentile particle size of less than about 35 microns and a specific surface area
of more than 0.5 m2/g.
102. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 101, wherein the acid labile drug is
selected from pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, penicillin G, ampicillin,
streptomycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, dideoxyinosine, dideoxyadenosine,
dideoxycytosine, digoxin, pancreatin, bupropion, lansoprazole, omeprazole,
pantoprazole, rabeprazole, hydroxyomeprazole, esomeprazole, pariprazole,
perprazole, tenatoprazole, leminoprazole and pharmaceutically acceptable salts
thereof.
103. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 102, wherein the acid labile drug is
lansoprazole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
104. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 101, wherein the inner core is an inert
sphere.
105. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 104, wherein the inert sphere is a
nonpareil sugar sphere.
106. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 105, wherein the inert sphere has a
weight of about 45% to about 90% of the total weight of the inner core coated
with the acid labile drug.
107. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 104, wherein the inert sphere has a
diameter of about 250 to about 1,200 microns.
108. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 107, wherein the inert sphere has a
diameter of about 850 to about 1,000 microns.
109. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 104, wherein the inner core is an inert
sugar sphere taken from a mixture of inert sugar spheres of about 400 to about
500 microns and inert sugar spheres of about 250 to about 350 microns mixed in
a weight ratio of about 2:1 to about 2.5:0.5.
110. A process of preparing the pharmaceutical composition of claim 101,
comprising coating an inner core with an acid labile drug, wherein the acid
labile drug can degrade at pH 3, and wherein the acid labile drug is in a
particulate form having a 90th volume percent! le particle size of less than about
35 microns and a specific surface area of more than 0.5 m2/g.
111. The process of claim 110, wherein the acid labile drug is selected from
pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, penicillin G, ampicillin, streptomycin,
clarithromycin, azithromycin, dideoxyinosine, dideoxyadenosine,
dideoxycytosine, digoxin, pancreatin, bupropion, lansoprazole, omeprazole,
pantoprazole, rabeprazole, hydroxyomeprazole, esomeprazole, pariprazole,
perprazole, tenatoprazole, leminoprazole and pharmaceutically acceptable salts
thereof.
112. The process of claim 111, wherein the acid labile drug is lansoprazole or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
113. The process of claim 110, wherein the inner core is an inert sphere.
114. The process of claim 113, wherein the inert sphere is a nonpareil sugar sphere.
115. The process of claim 113, wherein the inert sphere has a weight of about 45% to
about 90% of the total weight of the inner core coated with the acid labile drug.
116. The process of claim 113, wherein the inert sphere has a diameter of about 250
to about 1,200 microns.
117. The process of claim 116, wherein the inert sphere has a diameter of about 850
to about 1,000 microns.
118. The process of claim 113, wherein the inner core is an inert sugar sphere taken
from a mixture of inert sugar spheres of about 400 to about 500 microns and
inert sugar spheres of about 250 to about 350 microns mixed in a weight ratio of
about 2:1 to about 2.5:0.5.
119. The process of claim 55, wherein the weight of ammonia used in step a)
constitutes about 0.005% to about 0.03% of the weight of the aqueous
suspension used in step a).
120. The process of claim 58, wherein the amount of the aqueous ammonia solution
used in step a) constitutes about 0.02% to about 0.1%, w/w, of the aqueous
suspension.
Wr3TA method of treating a disease selected from gastric or duodenal ulcer, severe
erosive esophagitis, Zolinger-Ellison syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux or H.
pylori infection, comprising administrating an effective amount of a stable
pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 to a subject inflicted with the disease,
wherein the acid labile drug in the stable pharmaceutical composition is selected
from lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, hydroxyomeprazole,
esomeprazole, pariprazole, perprazole, tenatoprazole, leminoprazole and
pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.