Patent Application
20130344146
The invention encompasses dry compression pharmaceutical compositions of aripiprazole, methods of making tablets from the compositions, and tablets of the dry compression pharmaceutical composition.
Aripiprazole, as reported in the literature, can exist in multiple crystal forms. For example, PCT publication WO 03/026659 describes at least nine crystal forms, including an hydrate and anhydrous forms, such as Type-I and Type-II. According to WO 03/026659, the procedures disclosed in Proceedings of the 4th Japanese-Korean Symposium on Separation Technology (Oct. 6-8, 1996) yield significantly hydroscopic crystalline forms. The procedures disclosed in the Proceedings yield Type-I crystals of aripiprazole anhydride, prepared by recrystallizing from an ethanol solution of aripiprazole, or by heating aripiprazole hydrate at 80° C. The same Proceedings disclose that Type-II crystals of aripiprazole anhydride can be prepared by heating Type-I crystals of aripiprazole anhydride at 130° C. to 140° C. for 15 hours. In addition to Type-I and Type-II crystals, several additional anhydrous crystal forms are known. PCT publication WO 03/026659 discloses anhydride crystals Form B, C, D, E, F, or G and a hydrate form denominated Form A.
As reported in WO 03/026659, the multiple polymorphs may interconvert from one to the other. For instance, WO 03/026659 discloses that if the anhydrous form is exposed to moisture, then it may take on water and convert into a hydrous form. As stated in WO 03/026659, this presents several disadvantages, for instance the compound may be less bioavailable and less soluble. The hygroscopicity of aripiprazole crystals makes them difficult to handle since costly and burdensome measures must be taken to ensure that the crystals are not exposed to moisture during process and formulation. Despite these concerns, WO 03/026659 discloses a wet granulation process for preparing pharmaceutical compositions using aripiprazole anhydride and various carriers.
Other novel crystal aripiprazole forms are disclosed in PCT publication WO 05/058835. These other forms include Form I, II, VII, VIII, X, XI, XII, XIV, XIX, and XX.
Polymorphic transformations may be undesirable during pharmaceutical composition preparation or formulation. Hydration or manipulation of polymorphs may induce such unwanted polymorphic transformations. Also, the use of some aripiprazole polymorphs in pharmaceutical tablets may potentially induce unwanted polymorphic transformations, which in turn may reduce the bioavailability of the drug. Therefore, it would be desirable to develop aripiprazole formulations in which there is no potential of hydration and/or possible polymorphic interconversions.
One embodiment of the invention encompasses a method of making an aripiprazole formulation comprising providing a mixture of aripiprazole, at least one diluent, at least one tablet binder, and at least one tablet disintegrant; blending the mixture to obtain a homogeneous mixture; optionally adding at least one tablet lubricant to the homogeneous mixture; and dry compressing the homogeneous mixture into the formulation. The formulation may be tablets, slugs or a compact. The method may further comprise milling the slug or compact into a granulate, adding at least one adding at least one tablet lubricant to the granulate, and dry compressing the granulate into a tablet. The mixture may further comprise a colorant.
Preferably, the aripiprazole may be at least one of anhydrous aripiprazole Type-I, Type-II, or Form II. In one particular embodiment, the aripiprazole may have a particle size distribution where d(0.9) is about 300 μm or less. The tablet may have a dissolution rate where not less than 80% of the initial aripiprazole is dissolved after about 30 minutes. Preferably, the tablet may have a dissolution rate where not less than 85% of the initial aripiprazole is dissolved after about 30 minutes, and more preferably not less than 90%, as tested under the conditions described below.
In another embodiment, the diluent is calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate (dibasic and/or tribasic), calcium sulfate, powdered cellulose, dextrates, dextrin, fructose, kaolin, lactitol, anhydrous lactose, lactose monohydrate, maltose, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, sorbitol, sucrose, or starch. Preferably, the diluent is lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, or starch. In one particular embodiment, the diluent is present in an amount of about 35% to about 85% by weight of the tablet.
In another embodiment, the binder is acacia, alginic acid, carbomer, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, dextrin, ethylcellulose, gelatin, glucose, guar gum, hydroxypropyl cellulose, maltose, methylcellulose, polyethylene oxide, or povidone. Preferably, the binder is hydroxypropyl cellulose. In one particular embodiment, the binder is present in an amount of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the tablet.
In yet another embodiment, the disintegrant is alginic acid, sodium croscarmellose, crospovidone, maltose, microcrystalline cellulose, potassium polacrilin, sodium starch glycolate, or starch. Preferably, the disintegrant is crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate or sodium croscarmellose. In one particular embodiment, the disintegrant is present in an amount of about 3% to about 15% by weight of the tablet.
In yet another embodiment, the lubricant is calcium stearate, glyceryl behenate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, polyethylene glycol, sodium stearyl fumarate, stearic acid, talc, or zinc stearate. Preferably, the lubricant is magnesium stearate. In one particular embodiment, the lubricant is present in an amount of about 0.5% to about 2% by weight of the tablet.
In one embodiment, the invention encompasses a tablet comprising: aripiprazole Type-I, lactose monohydrate, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate.
In another embodiment, the invention encompasses a tablet comprising aripiprazole Type-II, lactose monohydrate, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, color red, and magnesium stearate.
In yet another embodiment, the invention encompasses a tablet comprising aripiprazole Form II, lactose monohydrate, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, color red, and magnesium stearate.
The problems associated with the hydration of aripiprazole during formulation or storage have focused research into developing stable anhydrous forms of aripiprazole. These forms would be less or non-hygroscopic, and thus resistant to hydration and the accompanying possible polymorphic transformation. The present invention provides an alternative to the development of stable anhydrous forms of aripiprazole. The present invention encompasses dry formulations of aripiprazole and methods of making tablets using the dry formulations in direct compression or dry granulation via dry compaction. These dry formulations and the methodology associated with such dry formulations prevent or reduce hydration and the associated subsequent polymorphic transformations.
Thus, the present invention encompasses methods of making tablets by compression of dry formulations and tablets made using dry compression methodology. There are economic advantages in the dry compression of formulations over wet granulation, because the dry compression requires fewer unit operations. Using less equipment, lower power consumption, less space, less time, and less labor are a few examples of how the methodology reduces production cost of tablets. Also, dry compression avoids the use of organic solvents during the preparation of the formulations. Organic solvents may be either toxic or difficult to dispose of because of environmental concerns.
Dry compression, however, is generally limited to those circumstances in which the active ingredient has physical characteristics suitable for forming pharmaceutically acceptable tablets. These physical characteristics include, but are not limited to, good flowing properties, compressibility, and compactability.
Dry compression formulations comprising aripiprazole were developed, because it was found that aripiprazole crystals were suitable for dry compression formulations. In particular, it was found that anhydrous aripiprazole crystals were suitable for dry compression formulations. As used herein with the term “aripiprazole,” the term “anhydrous” means aripiprazole is crystallized in a form, which does not contain solvent of crystallization or water incorporated within the crystal lattice, but may include water outside the crystal lattice.
The method of making an aripiprazole formulation comprises providing a mixture of aripiprazole, at least one diluent, at least one tablet binder, and at least one tablet disintegrant; blending the mixture to obtain a homogeneous mixture; optionally adding at least one tablet lubricant to the homogeneous mixture; and dry compressing the homogeneous mixture into the formulation. The formulation can be in the shape of a tablet, a slug, or a compact. The method may further comprise milling the slug or compact into a granulate, adding at least one tablet lubricant to the milled granulate, and dry compressing the milled granulate into a tablet. Optionally, at least one colorant may be added to the mixture to provide any desired colored tablet.
The blending step is carried out to substantially homogeneous mixture. The skilled artisan with little or no experimentation can easily determine the equipment and conditions necessary for the blending steps. Factors that may influence the blending step include, but are not limited to, the amount of materials, the physical characteristics of the materials, the equipment, and the speed of mixing.
The dry compressing step includes compressing the homogeneous mixture into a formulation. The formulation may be shaped as tablets, ribbons or blocks of solid material, or slugs. When the formulation is shaped as ribbons or blocks of solid material, or slugs, the ribbons or blocks of solid material, or slugs are milled. Thereafter, the milled material or granulate is blended with extragranular excipients and compressed into tablets. The compressing step may be carried out using a tablet compression apparatus commonly used in tableting or other suitable equipment to make slugs, ribbons, or blocks of solid material. For example, a Kilian tableting press may be used to form the tablets.
In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises blending aripiprazole Type-I, lactose monohydrate, starch, color red, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate into a mixture; dry granulating the mixture and compressing the granulated mixture into slugs; milling the slugs and blending the milled slugs with microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate into a second mixture; compressing the second mixture into tablets, wherein the tablets have a hardness range of about 9 to 15 Strong-Cobb units and a friability of less than about 1%. Optionally, the aripiprazole Type-I has a d(0.9) value of about 186 μm.
It is understood, of course, that some excipient materials can function as both diluent and binder, or filler and disintegrant, and that some materials may exist that can fulfill all three roles. There is no intention to limit the invention to methods only using three distinct excipient materials “diluent,” “tablet binder,” and “tablet disintegrant,” but rather the invention is directed to materials fulfilling these functions. For example the material that is the “at least one diluent” also might be the same as the material fulfilling the role of “at least one tablet binder” as long as the material is present in sufficient amount to fulfill both functions.
Any aripiprazole may be used in the formulation and method of the invention. Typically, anhydrous aripiprazole may be used in the dry compression or dry granulation formulation. Preferably, the anhydrous aripiprazole is at least one of Type-I, Type-II, or Form II. Type-I aripiprazole may be prepared by crystallization in ethanol and drying according to method described in WO 2005/058835. Alternatively, Type-I aripiprazole may be made according to the Reference Examples of WO 03/026659 and as described in the Proceedings of the 4th Japanese-Korean Symposium on Separation Technology (Oct. 6-8, 1996), both references hereby incorporated by reference. Type-II may be obtained by heating Type-I crystals of aripiprazole anhydride at 140° C. for 15 hours, according to the Reference Examples disclosed WO 03/026659. Form II aripiprazole may be prepared as disclosed in WO 05/058835.
Type-I aripiprazole is characterized by x-ray diffraction peaks at 8.8, 10.6, 11.1, 12.1, 15.0, 15.8, 17.7, 20.4, 22.1, and 29.8±0.2 degrees 2-theta. Type-II aripiprazole is characterized by x-ray diffraction peaks at 10.1, 11.7, 13.9, 15.1, 18.2, 20.8, 21.8, 23.5, 23.8, and 28.9±0.2 degrees 2-theta. The XRD diffractograms of aripiprazole Type-I and Type-II are shown in
The crystal form of aripiprazole within the pharmaceutical compositions may be monitored using known state of the art techniques. For example, techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) or solid-state NMR of carbon-13, nitrogen-14, or chlorine, among others, may be used. Generally, any instrumentation of X-Ray powder diffraction or solid-state NMR normally available in laboratories is suitable for monitoring the crystal forms of aripiprazole in pharmaceutical compositions. Typical methods for obtaining X-ray diffractions of aripiprazole may be found in WO 03/026659 or WO 05/058835.
Optionally, the aripiprazole may have a particle shape. Typically, the particle size distribution d(0.9) is about 300 μm or less. If aripiprazole Type-I or Type-II is used, the particle size distribution d(0.9) is about 180 μm to about 270 μm. If aripiprazole Form II is used, the particle size distribution d(0.9) is about 25 μm.
The single dose of the active ingredient is small, and an inert substance may be added to increase the bulk and make the tablet a practical size for compression. Diluents are used for this purpose. Diluents used in the mixture include diluents commonly used for tablet preparation. For example, diluents include, but are not limited to, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate (dibasic and/or tribasic), calcium sulfate, powdered cellulose, dextrates, dextrin, fructose, kaolin, lactitol, anhydrous lactose, lactose monohydrate, maltose, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, sorbitol, sucrose, or starch. Preferably, the diluent is lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, or starch. Typically, the diluent is present in an amount of about 35% to about 85% by weight of the tablet. Preferably, the diluent is present in an amount of about 40% to about 80% by weight of the tablet.
Binders are agents used to impart cohesive qualities to the powdered material. Binders impart a cohesiveness to the tablet formulation that ensures that the tablet remains intact after compression. Tablet binders used in the mixture include tablet binders commonly used for tablet preparation. Tablet binders include, but are not limited to, acacia, alginic acid, carbomer, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, dextrin, ethylcellulose, gelatin, glucose, guar gum, hydroxypropyl cellulose, maltose, methylcellulose, polyethylene oxide, or povidone. Preferably, the tablet binder is hydroxypropyl cellulose. Typically, the tablet binder is present in an amount of about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of the tablet. Preferably, the tablet binder is present in an amount of about 0.7% to about 3% by weight of the tablet.
A disintegrant is a substance or mixture of substances added to a tablet formulation to facilitate a tablet's breakup or disintegration after tablet administration. The aripiprazole should be released from the tablet as efficiently as possible to allow dissolution. Tablet disintegrants used in the mixture include, but are not limited to, alginic acid, sodium croscarmellose, crospovidone, maltose, microcrystalline cellulose, potassium polacrilin, sodium starch glycolate, or starch. Preferably, the tablet disintegrant is a “super-disintegrant:” crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate or sodium croscarmellose. Typically, the tablet disintegrant is present in an amount of about 3% to about 15% by weight of the tablet. Preferably, the tablet disintegrant is present in an amount of about 5% to about 10% by weight of the tablet.
Lubricants have a number of functions in tablet manufacturing. For example, lubricants prevent adhesion of the tablet material to equipment, reduce interparticle friction, and facilitate the ejection of the tablet from the die cavity, among others. Tablet lubricants added to the homogeneous mixture include those typically used in tablet formulations. Tablet lubricants include, but are not limited to, calcium stearate, glyceryl behenate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, polyethylene glycol, sodium stearyl fumarate, stearic acid, talc, or zinc stearate. Preferably, the tablet lubricant is magnesium stearate. Typically, the tablet lubricant is present in an amount of about 0.5 to about 2 percent by weight of the tablet. Preferably, the tablet lubricant is present in an amount of about 0.7 to about 1 percent by weight of the tablet.
In one embodiment, the dry compression pharmaceutical formulation of the invention has a dissolution rate where not less than 80% of the initial aripiprazole is dissolved after about 30 minutes. Preferably, the tablet may have a dissolution rate where not less than 85% of the initial aripiprazole is dissolved after about 30 minutes, and more preferably not less than 90%.
Once a tablet was made using the methodology described above, the aripiprazole was tested to determine whether a polymorphic transformation had occurred. The x-ray diffraction pattern of the aripiprazole within the pharmaceutical composition made in Example 1 had peaks at 8.8, 10.6, 11.1, 12.1, 15.0, 15.8, 17.7, 22.1, and 29.8±0.2 degrees 2-theta. The x-ray diffraction pattern of the aripiprazole within the pharmaceutical composition made in Example 2 had peaks at 10.1, 11.7, 14.0, 15.1, and 21.9±0.2 degrees 2-theta. A comparison of the x-ray diffraction patterns of the aripiprazole of Examples 1 and 2 with the x-ray diffraction patterns with aripiprazole Type-I and Type-II, respectively, demonstrated that the tablet obtained by dry compression of the dry aripiprazole formulation did not include other polymorphic aripiprazole forms, including hydrates.
The invention also encompasses tablets made using the methodology described above. In one embodiment the tablet comprises aripiprazole, lactose monohydrate, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate. Optionally, the tablet may further comprise a colorant. In another embodiment the tablet comprises aripiprazole Type-I, lactose monohydrate, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and magnesium stearate. In a preferred embodiment the tablet comprises aripiprazole Type-I (30 mg/tablet), lactose monohydrate (120 mg/tablet), starch (60 mg/tablet), microcrystalline cellulose (60 mg/tablet), hydroxypropyl cellulose (8 mg/tablet), and magnesium stearate (2 mg/tablet).
In yet another embodiment the invention encompasses a tablet comprising aripiprazole Type-II, lactose monohydrate, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, color red, and magnesium stearate. In a preferred embodiment, the invention encompasses a tablet comprising aripiprazole Type-II (30 mg/tablet), lactose monohydrate (120 mg/tablet), starch (60 mg/tablet), microcrystalline cellulose (60 mg/tablet), hydroxypropyl cellulose (8 mg/tablet), color red (0.06 mg/tablet), and magnesium stearate (2 mg/tablet).
Another embodiment the invention encompasses a tablet comprising aripiprazole Form II, lactose monohydrate, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, color red, and magnesium stearate. Preferably, the tablet comprises aripiprazole Form II (30 mg/tablet), lactose monohydrate (112 mg/tablet), starch (60 mg/tablet), microcrystalline cellulose (94 mg/tablet), hydroxypropyl cellulose (2 mg/tablet), sodium starch glycolate (10 mg/tablet), color red (0.06 mg/tablet), and magnesium stearate (2 mg/tablet).
Another embodiment the invention encompasses a tablet comprising aripiprazole Type I, lactose monohydrate, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, color red, and magnesium stearate. Preferably, the tablet comprises aripiprazole Type I (30 mg/tablet), lactose monohydrate (106.44 mg/tablet), starch (60 mg/tablet), microcrystalline cellulose (81 mg/tablet), hydroxypropyl cellulose (3 mg/tablet), color red (0.06 mg/tablet), and magnesium stearate (4.5 mg/tablet).
Having described the invention with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will become apparent to one skilled in the art from consideration of the specification. The invention is further defined by reference to the following examples describing in detail the formation of dry compression pharmaceutical formulations of aripiprazole and the dissolution of the tablets made using the dry compression pharmaceutical formulations. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, both to materials and methods, may be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention.
A mixture was made of aripiprazole Type-I (105 g), lactose monohydrate NF (420 g), starch NF (210 g), microcrystalline cellulose NF (210 g), and hydroxypropyl cellulose NF (28 g). The aripiprazole Type-I had a D(0.9) value of about 245 μm. The mixture was blended for 20 minutes. Magnesium stearate NF (7 g) was sieved and added to the blended mixture and blended for an additional 5 minutes. Thereafter, the mixture was compressed into tablets using a Kilian tableting press to have a hardness range of about 12 to 22 Strong-Cobb units and a friability of less than 1%.
A mixture was made of aripiprazole Type-II (120 mg), lactose monohydrate NF (479.76 g), starch NF (240 g), microcrystalline cellulose NF (240 g), hydroxypropyl cellulose NF (32 g), and color red (0.24 g). The aripiprazole Type-II had a D(0.9) value of about 270 μm. The mixture was blended for 20 minutes. Magnesium stearate NF (8 g) was sieved and added to the blended mixture and blended for an additional 5 minutes. Thereafter, the mixture was compressed into tablets using a Kilian tableting press to have a hardness range of about 8 to 21 Strong-Cobb units and a friability of less than 1%.
A mixture was made of aripiprazole Form II (150 g), lactose monohydrate NF (559.7 g), starch NF (150 g), microcrystalline cellulose NF (470 g), hydroxypropyl cellulose NF (10 g), sodium starch glycolate (50 g), and color red (0.3 g). The mixture was blended for 20 minutes. Magnesium stearate NF (10 g) was sieved and added to the blended mixture and blended for an additional 5 minutes. Thereafter, the mixture was compressed into tablets using a Kilian tableting press to have a hardness range of about 5 to 25 Strong-Cobb units and a friability of less than 1%.
A mixture of aripiprazole Type-I (210 g), lactose monohydrate NF (745.08 g), starch NF (420 g), color red (0.42 g), hydroxypropyl cellulose NF (21 g) and magnesium stearate NF (15.75 g) was dry granulated. The aripiprazole Type-I had a D(0.9) value of about 186 μm. The mixture was compressed into slugs, the slugs were milled and blended with extragranular excipients: microcrystalline cellulose NF (567 g) and magnesium stearate NF (15.75 g). Thereafter, the mixture was compressed into tablets using a Kilian tableting press to have a hardness range of about 9 to 15 Strong-Cobb units and a friability of less than 1%.
The dissolution for tablets from each of the above-described examples was studied. Typically, a the dissolution rate was measured for each batch after 30 minutes. The dissolution was carried out using an USP apparatus II (paddle) at 60 rpm with 900 ml of 0.1 N HCl at a temperature of 37° C. The results are summarized in Table 1.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/756,707, filed on Jan. 5, 2006.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60756707 | Jan 2006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11376472 | Mar 2006 | US |
| Child | 13921713 | US |
