Stability of Metronidazole, Tetracycline Hcl and Famotidine Alone and in Combination
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International Journal of Pharmaceutics 290 (2005) 1–13 Stability of metronidazole, tetracycline HCl and famotidine alone and in combination Yunqi Wua, Reza Fassihib,∗ a Product Development, Scolr Pharma, Inc., Bellevue, Washington, USA b Temple University, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3307 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA Received 25 June 2004; received in revised form 22 October 2004; accepted 22 October 2004 Abstract Metronidazole, tetracycline HCl and famotidine are commonly used for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated peptic ulcer. In this paper, stabilities of these drugs and their combinations in solid and liquid states were studied as part of preformulation in the development of a combination drug delivery system. Solubility studies of metronidazole and tetracycline HCl were investigated, which indicated that both metronidazole and tetracycline HCl have high solubilities at and around pH 2.0. Metronidazole is relatively stable with little degradation in liquid phase. Tetracycline HCl in the dry state is stable when stored at room temperature regardless of exposure to light or humidity in the range of 20–65%. Enhanced temperature associated humidity effect was responsible for the instabilities of tetracycline HCl and famotidine to different extents. Elevated temperature accelerated the degradation of all the drugs in liquid phase but light exposure was not a factor for the degradation. The degradation processes of tetracycline HCl and famotidine were highly dependent on the pH of the solution, and relatively stable profiles were achieved at pH 4.0. No potential incompatibility between the drugs under storage conditions was observed in the development of a new multi-drug delivery tablet. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Stability; Compatibility; pH-solubility; Metronidazole; Tetracycline HCl; Famotidine; Drug combinations 1. Introduction Freston, 1997). Approximately 90–100% of patients with duodenal ulcers and 70–90% of patients with gas- Helicobacter pylori is identified as the dominant tric ulcers have been infected by H. pylori (Balaban factor in the causes of peptic ulcer (Malfertheiner and and Peura, 1997; Faigel and Melnyk, 1999). Antibi- otics have been strongly recommended by the National ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 215 707 7670; Institute of Health (NIH) (Malfertheiner and Freston, fax: +1 215 707 3678. 1997) and several antibiotics-based combination regi- E-mail address: [email protected] (R. Fassihi). mens for the treatment of H. pylori-related peptic ulcers 0378-5173/$ – see front matter © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2004.10.015 2 Y. Wu, R. Fassihi / International Journal of Pharmaceutics 290 (2005) 1–13 have been approved by the Food and Drug Adminis- et al., 1997; Murray et al., 1998; Yao and Moeller- tration (FDA) because of their effectiveness (Balaban ing, 1999), and famotidine (Cooper et al., 1990; Piper and Peura, 1997). et al., 1997; Karalliedde and Henry, 1998; Lacy et Metronidazole and tetracycline HCl are two antibi- al., 2001; Schrefer and Nissen, 2001; The Merck otics used along with bismuth in a triple therapy that is Index, 2001), have been well investigated. In addi- believed to be one of the most effective regimens in the tion, owing to the commercial availability of these eradication of H. pylori and is used as a “gold standard dosage forms as single tablets or capsules they appear therapy” (Balaban and Peura, 1997). However, poor pa- to be relatively safe and can be given as combination tient compliance significantly reduces the healing rate, product. and the frequency of dosing, side effects and large num- However, when combinations of drugs are used in ber of tablets to be taken daily (e.g. 16 tablets/day) are one formulation, chemical incompatibility issues be- some of the main concerns (Malferteiner, 1996; Unge, come one of the most important factors influencing 1996; Howden, 1997). drug stability. Interaction may take place either among To overcome these deficiencies, a three-layered ma- different active ingredients or active ingredient and ex- trix tablet based on the gold standard triple therapy cipients within the formulation, and can be classified with a supplement of an H2 receptor anatagonist has as physical or chemical incompatibility according to been developed in our laboratory utilizing the prin- the mechanism of interaction. The former is always ciple of geometrical modification of monolithic ma- shown as precipitation, complexation, color change, trix along with gastroretentive delivery strategies. This etc., while the latter is chemical reactions, including novel formulation approach provides for simultane- decomposition. ous delivery of the four actives with different release In view of the stability of the pharmaceutical sub- rates to potentially improve the therapeutic outcome stances, an adequate stability study is necessary and a and enhance patient compliance by overcoming the requirement prior to submission to the Food and Drug aforementioned limitations. However, one major con- Administration (FDA). In addition, the United State cern in design of such delivery system from prefor- Pharmacopoeia (USP) requirements and the Interna- mulation point of view is the possible incompatibili- tional Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines ties between metronidazole and tetracycline HCl when all provide various techniques that are widely used combined in a single layer of three-layered matrix to monitor the possible decomposition pathways and tablet. degradation products. Understanding of the nature of The stability and compatibility of the active ingre- active compounds in a combination formulation is the dients are an important concern in the preformulation essential component of a successful product develop- studies that are conducted during the early stages ment. of dosage form development. Drug substances can More importantly the stability, physical and chem- undergo the decomposition processes via hydrolysis, ical compatibility is the primary concern when fac- oxidation, photolysis, etc. Furthermore, isomerization, ing complicated combinations of drugs in the design including epimerization, is also grouped into this of the three-layered matrix tablet. Therefore, the sta- category of decomposition in terms of pharmaceutical bilities of different drugs and their combinations in instability. For instance, the formation of epitetracy- solid and liquid states, normal and accelerated condi- cline HCl is the indication of decomposition of its tions were studied in this work. The solubility studies parent drug tetracycline HCl. of metronidazole and tetracycline HCl were initially The physicochemical characteristics, as well as the investigated, as this drives the formulation and dis- pharmacological and pharmacokinetic parameters of solution studies of the proposed three-layered matrix the drugs of interest, i.e. metronidazole (Wearley and tablet. Anthony, 1984; Moreau, 1995; Erah et al., 1997; Jones Furthermore, evaluation of the stabilities of com- et al., 1997; Scheibel and Dyke, 1997; Yao and Moel- bined granulation of metronidazole and tetracycline lering, 1999; The Merck Index, 2001; Van der Wouden HCl, and the granulation of colloidal bismuth subcitrate et al., 2001; Bakshi and Singh, 2003), tetracycline (CBS) and famotidine was performed by the developed HCl (Ali, 1976; Moreau, 1995; Corrall, 1997; Jones and validated HPLC method. Y. Wu, R. Fassihi / International Journal of Pharmaceutics 290 (2005) 1–13 3 2. Materials and methods profiles for both metronidazole and tetracycline HCl at different pHs were calculated and constructed accord- 2.1. Materials and instrument ing to the data (n = 2) from HPLC analysis. Metronidazole (Farchemia, Italy), tetracycline HCl 2.3. Stability and compatibility of drugs in solid (Sichuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., China), famotidine state (Spectrum, NJ) and CBS (MCP, CT) were the active agents. The standard samples of metronidazole and Granules of metronidazole and tetracycline HCl tetracycline HCl (USP) were purchased from Spec- were made using a wet granulation method by adding trum, NJ. Polyvinylpyrrolidone K-25 (PVP,Plasdone®, 5% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) into the blend of pow- ISP, NJ) and sodium carboxy methylcellulose (Na- ders of metronidazole and tetracycline HCl (1:1, w/w), CMC, Amend, NJ) in low viscosity (31 cps of 2% water and sieving with an oscillating granulator. Granules solution) were used as binder in wet granulation. were dried at a temperature of 60 ◦C. Dried granules Methanol (MeOH) and monobasic potassium phos- were re-sieved, divided into several parts, precisely phate (KH2PO4) were purchased from Spectrum, NJ, weighed, distributed into small storage bottles (open, phosphorous acid (H3PO4), hydrochloric acid (HCl) closed, brown and transparent glass containers) and and nitric acid (70%) from J.K. Backer, NJ, sodium stored under different conditions (room temperature hydroxide (NaOH) from Amend, NJ. All the solvent and refrigerated) respectively as described in Table 1. and chemicals applied for HPLC were HPLC grade and Triplicate samples were withdrawn at predeter- the remaining were analytical grade agents. Deionized mined time intervals, accurately weighed and dis- water was used in the study. solved in water to a known volume. Sample solutions An HP-1050 series HPLC (Hewlett-Packard, DE) were filtered through a 0.45 m filter, and analyzed by with a UV detector and a SupelcosilTM LC-18 col- HPLC