Mechanical properties and drug release of venlafaxine HCl solid mini matrices prepared by hot-melt extrusion and hot or ambient compression.

Unlabelled: Objective/significance: To elucidate the role of plasticizers in different mini matrices and correlate mechanical properties with drug release.

Methods: Cylindrical pellets were prepared by hot-melt extrusion (HME) and mini tablets by hot (HC) and ambient compression (AC). Venlafaxine HCl was the model drug, Eudragit RSPO the matrix former and citric acid or Lutrol F127 the plasticizers.

Relationships between the properties of self-emulsifying pellets and of the emulsions used as massing liquids for their preparation.

Self-emulsifying pellets were prepared using microcrystalline cellulose, emulsions of caprylic/capric triglyceride, and three Cremophors (ELP, RH40, and RH60) at 1.5 and 2.3 weight ratios, and two drugs (furosemide and propranolol) of different lipophilicity.

Effect of plasticiser type on the hot melt extrusion of venlafaxine hydrochloride.

Objectives: During hot melt extrusion (HME), phase changes and interactions due to thermo-mechanical stresses affect the drug incorporation into polymeric matrices. Two HME compositions of venlafaxine HCl with Eudragit RSPO (Evonic, Darmstadt, Germany) as the matrix polymer and either citric acid monohydrate (CAMH) or Lutrol F127 (BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany) as plasticisers were compared.

Methods: Miscibility and extrusion temperatures were elucidated based on solubility parameters and differential scanning calorimetry.