Advances in in-vitro bioequivalence testing methods for complex ophthalmic generic products.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) demands that the generic industry prove topical ocular products' pharmaceutical and bioequivalence (BE). In contrast to generic oral drugs, topical ocular product BE testing has proved difficult. New generic versions are compared to an authorized drug product known as a Reference Listed Drug (RLD) to demonstrate their bioequivalence.

Micronized Zaleplon Delivery via Orodispersible Film and Orodispersible Tablets.

The following research study focuses on improving the solubility of zaleplon (BCS class II drug) via micronization technique in order to enhance its oral delivery in orodispersible formulations. Zaleplon along with a surfactant solution was micronized by ultrasonication. The micronization process reduced the particle size of the crystalline drug about six-fold from its original size of 155.

Quality by Design approach for studying the impact of formulation and process variables on product quality of oral disintegrating films.

The present investigation was carried out to understand the impact of formulation and process variables on the quality of oral disintegrating films (ODF) using Quality by Design (QbD) approach. Lamotrigine (LMT) was used as a model drug. Formulation variable was plasticizer to film former ratio and process variables were drying temperature, air flow rate in the drying chamber, drying time and wet coat thickness of the film.

In Vitro Drug Transfer Due to Drug Retention in Human Epidermis Pretreated with Application of Marketed Estradiol Transdermal Systems.

Study objective was to assess skin-to-skin drug transfer potential that may occur due to drug retention in human epidermis (DRE) pretreated with application of estradiol transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) and other estradiol transdermal dosage forms (gels and sprays). TDDS (products-A, B, and C) with varying formulation design and composition, and other estradiol transdermal products (gel and spray) were applied to heat separated human epidermis (HSE) and subjected to in vitro drug permeation study. Amounts of DRE were quantified after 24 h.

Delivery of ziconotide to cerebrospinal fluid via intranasal pathway for the treatment of chronic pain.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the plausibility of delivery of ziconotide to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via intranasal administration. Ziconotide was administered either in the form of solution or Kolliphor P 407 gels (KP 407) intranasally in Sprague-Dawley rats. The effect of incorporation of chitosan in the formulation was also investigated.

Formulation and process factors influencing product quality and in vitro performance of ophthalmic ointments.

Owing to its unique anatomical and physiological functions, ocular surface presents special challenges for both design and performance evaluation of the ophthalmic ointment drug products formulated with a variety of bases. The current investigation was carried out to understand and identify the appropriate in vitro methods suitable for quality and performance evaluation of ophthalmic ointment, and to study the effect of formulation and process variables on its critical quality attributes (CQA). The evaluated critical formulation variables include API initial size, drug percentage, and mineral oil percentage while the critical process parameters include mixing rate, temperature, time and cooling rate.

Development and validation of in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) for estradiol transdermal drug delivery systems.

The objective of this study was to develop a level A in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) for drug-in-adhesive (DIA) type estradiol transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS). In vitro drug permeation studies across human skin were carried out to obtain the percent of estradiol permeation from marketed products. The in vivo time versus plasma concentration data of three estradiol TDDS at drug loadings of 2.

Iontophoretic drug delivery for the treatment of scars.

Topical treatment of hypertrophic scars is challenging because of poor penetrability of drugs into the scar tissue. The objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of iontophoresis to deliver medicaments across the scar epidermis. Initially, biophysical studies were performed to investigate the differences between scar and normal skin epidermis obtained from cadaver.

Stability of benzocaine formulated in commercial oral disintegrating tablet platforms.

Pharmaceutical excipients contain reactive groups and impurities due to manufacturing processes that can cause decomposition of active drug compounds. The aim of this investigation was to determine if commercially available oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) platforms induce active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) degradation. Benzocaine was selected as the model API due to known degradation through ester and primary amino groups.

Iontophoresis across the proximal nail fold to target drugs to the nail matrix.

The main objective of the present study was to investigate the plausibility of iontophoretic delivery of drugs to the nail matrix via proximal nail fold. The in vitro drug transport studies were performed in Franz diffusion cells across folded epidermis, which is used as a model for the proximal nail fold. The amount of drug transported into the receiver compartment following iontophoresis for 3 h at 0.

Delivery of cefotaxime to the brain via intranasal administration.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the plausibility of delivery of cefotaxime to the brain via intranasal administration. In vitro permeation studies were carried out using Franz diffusion cells, and the effect of different concentrations of chitosan (0.1% w/v and 0.