The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, in particular to compositions for administering a 5-HT4-receptor partial agonist as active agent. More particularly, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for administering tegaserod and to processes for manufacturing such compositions.
Tegaserod (3-(5-methoxy-1H-Indol-3-yl-methylene)-N-pentylcarbazimidamide) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are known from EP 505322 and under the trade marks ZELMAC and ZELNORM. Published PCT Application WO 00/10526 describes tegaserod compositions, e.g. solid oral pharmaceutical compositions and use in anal incontinence.
Despite the merits of the above-mentioned compositions, there remains a need for more economic and stable compositions which can be formulated effectively.
In one aspect this invention provides a solid pharmaceutical composition for oral adminstration comprising
The term “disintegrant” is understood to mean a substance or mixture of substances which facilitates disintegration of the composition after administration in order that the active ingredient be released from the composition as efficiently as possible to allow for its rapid dissolution (see e.g. “Remington's Pharmaceutical Science” 18th edition (1990), “The Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy” Lachman et al. Lea & Febiger (1970)).
The active agent used In compositions according to the present Invention is a serotonergic active agent acting on the gastrointestinal system as partial agonist of the 5-HT4 receptor. It is poorly soluble and acid sensitive. The active agent Is preferably In salt form, e.g., hydrogen maleate or hydrochloride, or in free form.
5-HT4 receptor partial agonists are useful for the prevention and treatment of gastro-intestinal motility disorders, e.g., Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Functional Dyspepsia (FD), Post Operative Ileus (POI), Diabetic gastroporesis and chronic constipation.
A preferred agent is tegaserod, a 5-HT4 partial agonist of formula
or pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof, e.g. the hydrogen maleate (hereinafter “hml”) salt. Tegaserod has a solubility of about 0.02% at 25° C. in water and is acid sensitive. We have found that compositions thereof may be produced which provide good dissolution even in the stomach.
In one embodiment, the composition of the invention comprises less than 15%, e.g. less than 14%, preferably 12% or less, e.g. about 10% or less, e.g. 5 to 10% by weight of disintegrant based on the total weight of the composition. We have observed that the use of such a low disintegrant content improves the dissolution rate.
The diluent may comprise lactose, mannitol, sucrose, calcium sulphate, calcium phosphate or microcrystalline cellulose (MCC USP (Avicel™ PH-102, FMC Corp.) The diluent may be present in an amount from 50 to 90%, preferably from 70 to 90% more preferably from 75 to 85%. Preferably the diluent is lactose, more preferably as α-lactose monohydrate and/or as amorphous material (Spray dried lactose™, Formost Corp.).
As disintegrant the composition of the present Invention may comprise:
Preferably, the disintegrant is crospovidone which is preferably water insoluble. Ideally the disintegrant rapidly exhibits high capillary or pronounced hydration capacity with little tendency to gel formation.
The particle size of the disintegrant may be from about 1 to about 500 micrometers. A preferred particle size distribution is from 10 to 400 e.g. less than 400 micrometers, e.g., for Polyplasdone XL®, less than 80 micrometers, e.g., less than 74 micrometers for, e.g., Polyplasdone XL-10®, approximately 50% greater than 50 micrometers and maximum of 1% greater than 250 micrometers in size for, e.g., Kollidon CL®. A preferred crospovidone is Polyplasdone XL®, e.g., with a density of about 0.213 g/cm3 (bulk) or 0.273 g/cm3 (tapped).
The preferred crospovidone content of the composition is from about 8% to about 14%, most preferably from about 9% to about 12%, by weight.
The composition of the present invention may further comprise a glidant e.g. Colloidal silicon dioxide (Aerosil, Degussa). From about 0.05% to about 1% by weight of glidant may be used, e.g. about 0.1% of Aerosil or similar.
The composition may further comprise one or more lubricants, e.g., in an amount within the range of from 3 to 8%, e.g. from 5 to 7% by weight of the composition.
Examples of such lubricants include:
In a preferred embodiment the lubricant is glyceryl behenate. We have observed that the use of glyceryl behenate improves lubrication properties, avoids tablet adhesion and helps stabilise the composition. Further there is no or negligible impact on tegaserod in vitro dissolution rate and tablet disintegration of the composition. Preferably the amount of glyceryl behenate used is about 6% by weight.
Glyceryl behenate typically comprises mixtures of glyceryl behenate and glyceryl dibehenate. For the purposes of the present description the term “glyceryl behenate” is used to indicate mixtures of glyceryl behenate and glyceryl dibehenate and also each component separately, i.e. glyceryl behenate or glyceryl dibehenate; for instance in line with the nomenclature used in monograph USP24/NF19.
The composition of the invention may comprise one or more binders, e.g., in an amount in the range of from 1 to 10%, e.g., 2 to 8%, e.g. about 5% by weight. Particularly the following binders may be used:
Other conventional excipients which may optionally be present in the composition of the invention include preservatives, stabilisers, anti-adherents or silica flow conditioners or glidants, e.g., silicon dioxide (e.g., Syloid®, Aerosil® as well as FD&C colours such as ferric oxides.
Other excipients disclosed in the literature, as for instance in Fiedler's “Lexicon der Hilfstoffe”, 4th Edition, ECV Aulendorf 1996 and “Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients” Wade and Weller Ed.(1994), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention.
A preferred composition of the invention may comprise from about 0.5 to 15% by weight of tegaserod; less than 15% by weight of disintegrant e.g. crospovidone; from 3 to 7% by weight of lubricant, e.g. glyceryl behenate; from 50 to 90% by weight of diluent, e.g. lactose; from 0.1% to 1% by weight of glidant, and optionally from 1 to 10% of binder, e.g. hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC).
The compositions of this invention may be free or substantially free of surfactant.
In a further aspect the present invention provides an oral, e.g. tablet composition comprising the active agent tegaserod.
Daily dosages required in practising the method of the present invention will vary depending upon, for example the mode of administration and the severity of the condition to be treated. An indicated daily dose is in the range of from about 1 to about 30 mg, e.g. from 2 to 24 mg, of active agent for oral use, conveniently administered once or in divided dosages.
In one embodiment the present invention provides a round shaped tablet with a diameter of 6 to 10 mm, preferably 7 mm.
In a further aspect the present invention provides a process for the production of the compositions of the invention. The compositions of the invention may be prepared by working up active agent with excipients. The composition of the invention may be formed into tablets by processes involving granulation, especially under dry conditions. Advantageously the composition of the invention may be formed into tablets by direct compression. The following processes A, B and C are contemplated:
Process A
The composition of the invention may be obtained by
Part of the lubricant may be added in the mixture of step (i), the rest in the final mixture of step (iii) or the total amount of lubricant may be added in the final mixture of step (iii).
The resulting powder blends of step iii) are compressed on either a single punch press (Korsh EKO), 6 station-rotary press (Korsh PH106), 17 station-rotary press (Korsh PH 230) or 43 station-rotary press (Fette PT2090).
All components may be mixed together, sieved through and mixed again. Tablets are then formed by direct compression.
Process B
The compositions of the invention may be obtained by
A 43 station rotary press (Fette PT 2090) with a magnesium stearate spraying system may be conveniently used to carry out step (iv).
The components may be mixed together, sieved and mixed again. The lubricant is added by spray lubrication when the tablets are formed by direct compression.
Process C
In another embodiment the compositions of the invention may be obtained by
Tablets may be formed by compressing the resulting powder on a single punch press (Korsh EKO), 6 station-rotary press (Korsh PH106), 17 station-rotary press (Korsh PH 230), a 43 station-rotary press (Fette PT2090) or a 43 station rotary press (Fette PT 2090) with the magnesium stearate spraying system.
The following is a description by way of example only of compositions and processes of the invention.
A 6 mg tablet Is prepared using the direct compression method.
A blend is formed by mixing tegaserod maleate, lactose, crospovidone, aérosil and glyceryl behenate. This blend is sieved and the mixture is blended again. The resulting powder blends are compressed using a 17 station-rotary press (Korsh PH 230) equipped with 7 mm, round upper punches.
A 6 mg tablet is prepared using the direct compression method.
A preblend is formed by mixing tegaserod maleate, hydroxy propylmethyl cellulose, a part of glyceryl behenate and a part of lactose. This preblend is mixed with the remaining excipients except glyceryl behenate. This blend is lubricated with the remaining part of glyceryl behenate. The final blend is compressed using a rotary press (Korsh PH 343 or Fette PT2090) equipped with 7 mm, round upper punches.
A 6 mg tablet is prepared using the direct compression method with in situ spray lubrication.
A blend is formed by mixing tegaserod maleate, lactose, crospovidone, aérosil and compritol. This blend and the mixture is blended again. The lubricant magnesium stearate is added by spray lubrication. The resulting powder blends are compressed using a 43 station-rotary press (Fette PT 2090) equipped with 7 mm, round upper punches.
A 6 mg Tablet is Prepared Using Roller Compaction
Compositions are prepared by mixing tegaserod maleate, lactose, crospovidone, aérosil and glyceryl behenate. This mixture is compacted by roller compaction and milled. Tablets are formed by compression.
The present invention thus provides a solid oral pharmaceutical composition comprising a 5-HT4-receptor partial agonist and a lower amount of disintegrant than hitherto used. Comparative Example.
The compositions of the present invention typically have the following advantages compared to the compositions described in WO 00/10526:
Tablets (6 mg tegaserod) are manufactured as described in Example 2 above and also as described in Example 3 of WO 00/10526. Tablets from both batches are exposed to a 60% relative humidity atmosphere at 25° C. for a period of 72 hours. The weight increase of the tablets is measured and the percentage weight increase due to absorption of water vapour is calculated. The results obtained are given below.
Tablets (6 mg tegaserod) prepared according to Example 2 of the present application and according to Example 3 of WO 00/10526 are suspended in 900 ml aliquots of aqueous buffers at various pHs, and in tap water, with agitation by rotating paddle (50 rpm). The percentage dissolution of tegaserod, after suspension treatment for 30 minutes, is calculated for each tablet type, for each treatment regime. The results obtained are given below.
6 mg tablet; percentage of tegaserod dissolved after 30 minutes (rotating paddle, 50 rpm)
The Invention provides tegaserod compositions with fewer components than hitherto known and a simple dry process without granulation. The formulations of the present invention are less hygroscopic, overcome adhesion problems and provide complete or substantially complete dissolution within 30 minutes.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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01403339.3 | Dec 2001 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP02/14674 | 12/20/2002 | WO |