NOVEL CRYSTALLINE FORM OF LAMIVUDINE

Abstract

The disclosure herein relates to a new Lamivudine polymorphic form, methods of making the same, and pharmaceutical formulations thereof. A (−) cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-one in the form of monoclinic crystals has characteristic powder X-ray diffractogram, as disclosed herein, is disclosed along with a process for preparation of the same. A pharmaceutical composition in solid dosage unit form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a new Lamivudine polymorphic form in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is also disclosed along with a pharmaceutical composition useful for treating HIV infections in humans.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new Lamivudine polymorphic form, pharmaceutical formulations thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lamivudine (I) (CAS No. 134678-17-4) is chemically known as (2R-cis)-4-amino-1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]-2(1H)-pyrimidinone, also known as (−) cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-one

Lamivudine is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in the treatment of HIV infection alone or in combination with other class of Anti HIV drugs.

Lamivudine is commercially available in a pharmaceutical composition under the brand name EPIVIR® marketed by GlaxoSmithKine and is covered under U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,407.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,407 claims 1,3-oxathiolane derivatives, their geometric and optical isomers and mixtures thereof. The patent also discloses the preparation of cis and trans isomers of 2,5 substituted 1,3-oxathiolane derivatives.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,082 describes two polymorphic modifications of Lamivudine viz form I and II. Form 1 crystals are short rods or long thin needles with orthorhombic crystal system. Form 1 is a hydrate of Lamivudine consisting of one molecule of water per five molecules of Lamivudine. This form melts at 146° C. (Journal of Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 2, page 2655 (1997)). The DSC thermogram (the rate of heating: 2° C./min) of this form shows first an endotherm at 123.6° C. followed by an exotherm at 128° C., finally another endotherm at 179.6° C. This second endotherm is due to conversion of crystal form I to form II, hence form 1 is a metastable crystalline form.

However with rate of heating of 100° C./min form I shows a single endotherm at 146° C., which is it's melting point. The TGA shows a single step sharp weight loss of 2%.

Form I as per U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,082 is prepared by heating a suspension of 64.8 gm Lamivudine in 200 ml water at 45° C. to give a solution and cooling the solution to 30° C. The product crystallizes out as an unstirrable mass. Further breaking this mass and cooling it to 10° C. with stirring and thereafter filtering and drying at 45° C. for 24 hours gives form I crystals.

Form II crystals as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,082 are bipyramidal in shape with tetragonal crystal system. It is an anhydrous form of Lamivudine. This form melts at 177° C. (Journal of Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 2, page 2655 (1997)). The DSC thermogram of this form at all scan speeds shows a single peak of endotherm at 177° C. Form II is a stable crystalline form of Lamivudine and is claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,082.

Form II as per U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,082 is prepared by following procedure: Heat a suspension of 10 gm Lamivudine in 200 ml of industrial methylated spirit to reflux to obtain a clear solution. Filter the solution while hot; distil half the amount of the solvent from the filtrate then stop heating and seed the concentrated solution with authentic form II crystals. The seeded solution is then cooled from 80° C. to 25° C. during one hour. Crystal formation starts at 79° C. Further cooling the suspension to 15° C. and stirring for an hour, filtration, washing with IMS and drying gives Form II crystals.

Crystalline form I have inferior flow property and also lower bulk density, which create problem in handling the product during formulation. In view of the literature cited hereinbefore Lamivudine form I also suffers from stability issues. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a crystalline form of Lamivudine having improved stability and also comparable if not better bioavailability.

When slurried in water both crystal form I and II get converted to another polymorphic form not yet reported in the literature, which is really not a desirable feature for manufacturing practices. Form I converts to form II during milling and formulation operation and because of this the invention embodied in U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,082 for getting form II, a thermodynamically stable polymorph, used for formulation.

The present inventors have surprisingly i found that Lamivudine can also be obtained in a third crystalline form (hereinafter form III), which not only have distinct powder X-ray diffractogram but also have entirely different single crystal X-ray diffraction when compared to form I and II.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Thus an object of the present invention is to provide a novel crystalline hemihydrate form of Lamivudine with better flow property and bulk density, which enables to have a formulation without any difficulty.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel crystalline hemihydrate form of Lamivudine with comparable dissolution rate with the reported polymorphic forms of lamivudine.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel crystalline form of Lamivudine that is stable during wet granulation using water as a granulating solvent, thereby ensuring the physical stability of the finished solid dosage form.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a process for preparation of novel crystalline hemihydrate of Lamivudine using eco-friendly solvent “water”.

Another object of the present invention is to provide suitable pharmaceutical dosage forms of novel crystalline hemihydrate of Lamivudine alone or in combination with other anti HIV agents.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Thus in the present invention there is provided a crystalline hemihydrate (form III) of Lamivudine having characteristic powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction as shown in FIGS. 1 and 16 with characteristic 2θ values as given in Table III.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for formation of Form III by dissolving Lamivudine in water at 45° C., then cooling the clear solution to 30° C., optionally seeding with form III crystals and further cooling to 10° C. at the rate ranging from 0.5° C./min to 3.5° C./min, isolating the crystals by filtration optionally washing with alcohol and drying at 45-55° C.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As mentioned earlier both form I and form II polymorphs when slurried in water get converted to polymorphic form III, which happens to be thermodynamically stable and does not undergo any change in crystal structure during milling.

This crystal form has been found to have better flow property and higher bulk density in comparison with literature reported forms.

Further study on single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that it is a hemihydrate form (four molecules of Lamivudine with two molecules of water) of Lamivudine. This product melts at 176-177° C. The DSC thermogram (at the rate of heating=2° C./min) shows first peak of endotherm (Δ H=16.61 J/g) at 100° C. and the second peak of endotherm (Δ H=101.68 J/g) at 179.60. This crystal form is found to be stable and has better flow property than form 1, and is found to posses comparable bioavailability.

The crystal form III of Lamivudine is obtained by subjecting the hot (45° C.) supersaturated solution of Lamivudine for controlled cooling. Whereas if such solution is cooled suddenly it gives form 1 crystals of Lamivudine.

Thermogravimetric analysis (as shown in FIG. 6) of form III crystals of Lamivudine shows 3.5 to 4% single step loss of weight. Moisture content of this crystal form by Karl Fischer titration is in the range of 3.5 to 4.0%, which confirms presence of approximately one mole of water per every two moles of Lamivudine.

Single crystal structure X-ray data (FIG. 16) reveals two molecules of water are associated with four molecules of lamivudine presumably through hydrogen bonds in polymorphic form III. In other words the material of present invention is a hemihydrate having four molecules of lamivudine and two molecules of water. Form III thus obtained has a melting point of 176 to 177° C.

The novel crystalline hemihydrate form (form III) of Lamivudine has better flow property and bulk density, which are important parameters for formulation (Table I).

	TABLE I
	Property	Form I	Form II	Form III
	Bulk Density (gm/cc)	0.46	0.38	0.64
	Tap Density (gm/cc)	0.60	0.55	0.83
	Flow Property	33.66°	32.00°	32.00°
	(Angle of Repose$)
	$measured as per the procedure provided on page 317 of ‘The Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy’ by Leon Lachman et al., Third Ed. Varghese Publishing House, Bombay; (1987)

Lamivudine Form I and Form II when slurried in water at ambient temperature for 24 to 48 hours get converted to Form III, which is not at all desirable since during formulation especially in wet granulation such conversion would lead to physical instability of the finished formulation. Hence, use of Lamivudine Form III crystals would certainly have an added advantage over other polymorphic forms mentioned in the literature.

The crystalline form III of Lamivudine as disclosed herein was found to be stable for more than three months when stored at 40±2° C. RH 75±5%.

Comparative thermal analysis data is tabulated in Table II

TABLE II
Crystal
Form	Melting Point	DSC	TGA
I	135-145° C.	@ 2° C./min: exotherm at 123°	One step weight loss
	124-127° C.*	then at 177° (FIG. 7)	between temp 80° C. to
	135° C.#	@ 100° C./min: 146° C. (FIG. 8)	140° C. = 1.52%
			(FIG. 4)
II	177-178° C.	@ 2° C./min and 100° C./min:	No weight loss due to
	177-178° C.*#	177° C. (FIG. 9 & 10)	crystal bound water.
			(FIG. 5)
III	176-177° C.	@ 2° C./min first peak at 100° C.	One step weight loss
		and second at 177° C. (FIG. 11)	between temp 80° C. to
		@ 100° C./min: 120° C. (FIG. 12)	140° C. = 4.14%
			(FIG. 6)

The powder X-ray diffraction analysis of form III also shows characteristic 2θ values. Comparative data of 2θ values form III and other literature reported polymorphic forms is provided in Table III

TABLE III
Form I (FIG. 1)	Form II (FIG. 2)	Form III (FIG. 3)
(2θ values)	(2θ values)	(2θ values)
5.20	10.70	5.50
6.66	12.17	7.60
8.53	13.42	9.00
8.81	14.30	9.62
9.65	14.76	10.98
9.85	15.86	11.97
10.15	16.83	12.52
10.41	17.55	12.81
11.27	18.63	13.52
11.38	19.68	15.19
11.63	20.63	15.71
12.34	21.44	15.94
12.60	22.13	16.57
12.93	22.60	16.72
13.22	23.03	17.11
14.60	24.44	17.57
15.01	24.94	17.98
15.17	25.70	18.30
15.67	26.51	19.26
15.81	27.68	19.68
16.51	28.41	20.37
17.59	28.93	21.04
17.98	29.72	22.00
18.13	30.67	22.86
18.72	30.90	23.40
19.10	31.30	23.70
19.30	31.47	24.04
19.76	31.99	24.68
21.788	32.40	25.15
23.487	32.59	26.97
23.706	33.14	27.70
25.44	34.01	28.74
25.90	35.20	30.35
27.34	35.49	30.60
29.46	37.27	31.94
31.00	38.46	33.25

The single crystal X-ray diffraction data obtained for form III crystalline form of Lamivudine is tabulated in Table IV

Suitable pharmaceutical formulations may conveniently be presented containing predetermined amount of lamivudine in crystalline form III

DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

FIG. 1: Powder X-ray diffractogram of crystalline form I of Lamivudine.

FIG. 2: Powder X-ray diffractogram of crystalline form II of Lamivudine.

FIG. 3: Powder X-ray diffractogram of crystalline form III of Lamivudine.

FIG. 4: TGA thermogram of crystalline form I of Lamivudine.

FIG. 5: TGA thermogram of crystalline form II of Lamivudine.

FIG. 6: TGA thermogram of crystalline form III of Lamivudine.

FIG. 7: DSC thermogram of crystalline form I of Lamivudine at heating rate 2° C./min.

FIG. 8: DSC thermogram of crystalline form I of Lamivudine at heating rate 100° C./min.

FIG. 9: DSC thermogram of crystalline form II of Lamivudine at heating rate 2° C./min.

FIG. 10: DSC thermogram of crystalline form II of Lamivudine at heating rate 100° C./min.

FIG. 11: DSC thermogram of crystalline form III of Lamivudine at heating rate 2° C./min.

FIG. 12: DSC thermogram of crystalline form III of Lamivudine at heating rate 100° C./min.

FIG. 13: FTIR spectra of crystalline form I of Lamivudine.

FIG. 14: FTIR spectra of crystalline form II of Lamivudine.

FIG. 15: FTIR spectra of crystalline form III of Lamivudine.

FIG. 16: crystal structure and packing diagram of crystalline form III of Lamivudine obtained by Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis

The present invention is illustrated in more detail by referring to the following Examples, which are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-II (25.0) g in water (75.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 20 min to give a clear solution. The solution was cooled to 30° C. during a period of 30 min. The crystallization started at 30° C. The mass was further cooled to 10° C. during a period of 20 min and stirred for 1 hour. The product was filtered and washed with ethanol (2×10 ml) then dried in vacuum at 45° C. for 24 hours. Yield=23.0 gms.

IR Spectra [Nujol Mull] (cm⁻¹): 3330, 3160, 2923, 2854, 1640, 1600, 1522, 1460, 1376, 1296, 1226, 1193, 1155, 1135, 1106, 1044, 976, 927, 844, 788, 722 (FIG. 15)

X-ray powder diffraction analysis shows peaks at about 5.50, 7.60, 9.00, 9.62, 10.98, 11.97, 12.52, 12.81, 13.52, 15.19, 15.71, 15.94, 16.57, 16.72, 17.11, 17.57, 17.98, 18.30, 19.26, 19.68, 20.37, 21.04, 22.00, 22.86, 23.40, 23.70, 24.04, 24.68, 25.15, 26.97, 27.70, 28.74, 30.35, 30.60, 31.94, 33.25±0.2 °2θ.

The single crystal X-ray analysis is carried out using SMART APEX CCD diffractometer by full-matrix least-squares refinement on F²; goodness of fit on F² was 1.050. A total of 20474 reflections were measured on diffractometer with monochromatised Cu—Kα radiation. The data was collected at θ ranging from 1.26 to 25°. The structure was solved by direct method and the non-hydrogen atoms refined anisotropically. All H atoms were refined isotropically. Refinement converged to give R1=0.0538, wR2=0.1428. Minimum residual electron density was −0.403 e. Å⁻³ and maximum residual electron density was 0.887 Å⁻³. The data is as shown below in Table IV:

	TABLE IV
	Empirical Formula	2(C8H11N3O3S)•(H2O)
	Formula weight	476.53
	Crystal System	Monoclinic
	Space group	P21
	Unit cell dimensions	a = 11.714 (9) Å	α = 90°
		b = 11.214 (9) Å	β = 94.68°
		c = 16.197 (12) Å	γ = 90°
	Z, calculated density	2, 1.493 Mg/m3.
	Cell volume	2120.4 (3) Å3
	Crystal size	0.18 × 0.11 × 0.09

Powder pattern generated from single crystal data using MERCURY software was found to be identical to the experimental powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the material of invention (as provided for Form III in Table III and in FIG. 3).

The differential scanning calorimetric analysis at the rate of heating 2° C./min shows first peak of endotherm at 100° C. and second at 177° C. (FIG. 11), and at the rate of heating 100° C./min shows single peak of endotherm at 120° C. (FIG. 12).

The thermogravimetric analysis exhibits one-step weight loss of 4.14% between temp 80° C. to 140° C. (FIG. 6).

EXAMPLE 2

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-II (20.0) g in water (60.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 25 min to give a solution. The solution was cooled to 30° C. in 15 min. The mass was then cooled to 10° C. in 20 min and stirred for 1 h. The product was filtered and washed with IMS (2×10 ml) then dried in vacuum at 45° C. for 24 h. Yield=17 gms.

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-II (20.0) g in water (60.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 25 min to give a solution. The solution was cooled to 30° C. in 30 min. The mass was then cooled to 10° C. in 20 min and stirred for 1 h. The product was filtered and washed with ethanol (2×10 ml), then dried in vacuum at 45° C. for 24 h. Yield=17 gms.

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 4

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-II (10.0) g in water (30.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 20 min to give a clear solution. The solution was cooled to 30° C. in 15 min. The reaction mass was then cooled to 10° C. in 20 min and stirred for 1 h. The product was filtered and dried in vacuum at 45° C. for 24 h. Yield=8.5 gms.

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 5

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-1 (10.0) g in water (30.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 20 min to give a clear solution. The solution was then cooled to 10° C. in 10 min and stirred for 1 h. The product was filtered and dried in vacuum at 45° C. for 24 h. Yield=7 gms

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 6

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-II (10.0) g in water (30.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 20 min to give a clear solution. The solution was then cooled to 10° C. in 10 min and stirred for 1 hr. The product was filtered and dried in vacuum at 45° C. for 24 hr. Yield=8 gm.

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 7

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-II (50.0) g in water (150.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 17 min. to give a clear solution. The solution was cooled slowly to 30° C. in 1.0 hr 40 min. The product was then cooled to 10° C. in 10 min and stirred for 1 h. The product was filtered and dried in vacuum 1.0 mm at 45° C. for 24 h. Yield=44 gm

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 8

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-II (20.0) g in water (80.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 25 min to give a clear solution. The solution was cooled slowly to 30° C. in 55 min. The product was then cooled to 10° C. in 5 min and stirred for 1 h at the same temperature. The product was filtered and dried in vacuum for 24 hr at 50-55° C. Yield: 18 gm.

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 9

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-II (20.0) g in water (100.00) was heated to 45° C. in 25 min to give a clear solution. The solution was cooled slowly to 30° C. in 55 min. The product was then cooled to 10° C. in 5 min and stirred for 1 h at the same temperature. The product was filtered and dried in vacuum for 24 hr at 50-55° C. Yield 18.7 gm.

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 10

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of lamivudine (Form I or Form II or mixture thereof) (35 gm) in water (105 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 17 minutes to give a clear solution. The solution was cooled slowly to 37° C. in 50 minutes. The solution was seeded with lamivudine form III. The mixture was then cooled to 10° C. in 10 minutes and stirred for one hour. The product was filtered and dried in vacuum at 45° C. for 24 hours. Yield 32 gm.

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 11

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-II (5.0 gm) in water (5.0 ml) was stirred at 25° C. for 48 hours. The suspension was cooled and stirred at 10° C. for one hour. The product was filtered and then dried under vacuum at 45° C. for 24 hours. Yield=4.5 gms

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 12

Preparation of Lamivudine Form III

A suspension of the Lamivudine form-I (2.0 gm) in water (2.0 ml) was stirred at 25° C. for 24 hours. The suspension was cooled and stirred at 10° C. for one hour. The product was filtered and then dried under vacuum at 45° C. for 24 hours. Yield=1.6 gms

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form III as obtained in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 13

Preparation of Lamivudine Form I

A suspension of the Lamivudine (10.0) g in water (30.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 30 min to give a solution. The solution was cooled to 30° C. in 0.5 min. The product was crystallized as an unstirrable mass. This was broken up and suspension stirred at 10.0° C. for 1 hr. The product was filtered and washed with IMS (2×5 ml) then dried in vacuum at 45° C. for 24 hr. Yield=6.0 gm

IR Spectra [Nujol Mull] (cm⁻¹): 3356, 3199, 2923, 2854, 1639, 1611, 1461, 1402, 1376, 1309, 1288, 1252, 1196, 1166, 1145, 1107, 1052, 970, 932, 839, 786, 720 (FIG. 13).

X-ray powder diffraction analysis shows peaks at about 5.20, 6.66, 8.53, 8.81, 9.65, 9.85, 10.15, 10.41, 11.27, 11.38, 11.63, 12.34, 12.60, 12.93, 13.22, 14.60, 15.01, 15.17, 15.67, 15.81, 16.51, 17.59, 17.98, 18.13, 18.72, 19.10, 19.30, 19.76, 21.79, 23.49, 23.71, 25.44, 25.90, 27.34, 29.46, 31.00±0.2 °2θ.

The differential scanning calorimetric analysis at the rate of heating 2° C./min shows first peak of endotherm at 123° C. and second at 177° C. (FIG. 7), and at the rate of heating 100° C./min shows single peak of endotherm at 146° C. (FIG. 8).

The thermogravimetric analysis exhibits one-step weight loss of 1.52% between temp 80° C. to 140° C. (FIG. 4).

EXAMPLE 14

Preparation of Lamivudine Form I

A suspension of the Lamivudine (250.0 g) in the mixture of water (750.0 ml) and DNS (250.0 ml) was heated to 45° C. in 12 min to give a solution. The solution was cooled to 30° C. in 15 min and seeded with form I crystals. The product was then cooled to 10° C. in 30 min and stirred for 1 h. The product was filtered washed wished with 100 ml water DNS mixture (3:1) and dried in vacuum at 45° C. for 24 h. Yield: 220.0 gm.

Powder X-ray diffraction pattern superimposable with that of form I as obtained in Example 13.

EXAMPLE 15

Preparation of Lamivudine Form II

A suspension of the Lamivudine (10.0) g in ethanol (200.0 ml) was heated to refluxed to give a clear solution. The solution thus formed was subjected to distillation and about 100 ml of ethanol was distilled out at atmospheric pressure. The remaining solution was then cooled to 15° C. in 35 min. The suspension stirred at 15° C. for 1.0 hr. The product was filtered and washed with ethanol (10.0 ml) then dried in vacuum at 50° C. for 12 hr to get 8.2 gm.

IR Spectra [Nujol Mull] (cm⁻¹): 3322, 3194, 2950, 2870, 1651, 1611, 1496, 1456, 1396, 1376, 1337, 1316, 1285, 1222, 1180, 1158, 1087, 1058, 1030, 918, 851, 806, 786, 723 (FIG. 14).

X-ray powder diffraction analysis shows peaks at about 10.70, 12.17, 13.42, 14.30, 14.76, 15.86, 16.83, 17.55, 18.63, 19.68, 20.63, 21.44, 22.13, 22.60, 23.03, 24.44, 24.94, 25.70, 26.51, 27.68, 28.41, 28.93, 29.72, 30.67, 30.90, 31.30, 31.47, 31.99, 32.40, 32.59, 33.14, 34.01, 35.20, 35.49, 37.27, 38.46±0.2 °2θ.

The differential scanning calorimetric analysis at the rate of heating 2° C./min and 100° C./min shows single peak of endotherm at 177° C. (FIG. 9 and FIG. 10).

The thermogravimetric analysis reveals that it is an anhydrous product. (FIG. 5).

EXAMPLE 12

Pharmaceutical Formulations

(a) 150 mg Lamivudine Tablet

Ingredients per Tablets       Weight (mg.)
Lamivudine (Form III)         150
Microcrystalline cellulose NF 269.62
Sodium starch glyclolate NF   22.50
Colloidal silicon dioxide NF  2.25
Magnessium Stearate NF        5.63
Total Weight                  450.00

Lamivudine (form III), microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate and colloidal silicon dioxide were sieved and blended in octagonal for about 15 minutes. Sieved magnesium stearate was then added and blending continued for a further 2 minutes

The blend was compressed in standard tabletting equipment.

Analysis:

Tablet weight: 450 mg+5%

Thickness: 5.0-5.2 mm

Hardness: 150 to 200 N

Disintegration Time: 25 seconds.

% friability: 0.1%.

(b) Lamivudine Form III/Zidovudine Combination Tablets:

Ingredients per Tablets          Weight (mg.)
Intra-granular
Lamivudine (Form III)            150.00
Zidovudine                       300.00
Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate NF 181.87
Sodium starch glyclolate NF      56.25
Purified water                   Qs
Extra-granular
Sodium starch glycolate NF       18.75
Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate NF 37.50
Magnessium stearate NF           5.63
Coating
Opadry YS-1 7706G White          15
Total Weight                     765.00

Lamivudine (form III), Zidovudine, sodium starch glycolate and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate were sieved and mixed in rapid mixer granulator for about 15 minutes. The drymixture obtained was granulated using purified water as granulating agent. The granules were then dried and sifted. Previously sifted sodium starch glycolate and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate blended with the dry granules in octagonal blend for 10 minutes. Previously sifted magnesium stearate was added to this blend and blending continued for further two minutes. The blend was compressed in standard tabletting equipment and then film coated with an aqueous suspension of Opadry YS-1 7706 G White to produce aesthetically acceptable tablets.

Analysis:

Tablet weight: 750 mg+10 mg

Thickness: 5.5-5.6 mm

Hardness: 120 to 130 N

Disintegration Time: 35 seconds (coats), 50 seconds.

% friability: 0.2%.

Dissolution in 0.1 N HCl, 50 rpm, paddle, 900 ml:

Time (minutes)	Lamivudine (%)	Zidovudine (%)
5	80.9	81.1
10	86.2	87.8
20	92.0	95.2
30	96.0	100.4
40	96.7	101.5

Claims

1. A composition comprising: (−) cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-one in the form of form III monoclinic crystals.

2. The composition of claim 1 having peaks of endotherm at 100° C. and 179.6° C. in a differential scanning calorimetry profile at a heating rate of 2° C. per minutes.

3. The composition of claim 2 having peak of endotherm between 115 and 130° C. in a differential scanning calorimetry profile at a heating rate of 100° C. per minute.

4. The composition of claim 1 showing sharp weight loss of 4 to 4.5% between the temperatures 80° and 140° C. in thermogravimetric analysis.

5. The composition of claim 1 having a distinct X-ray diffractometric peak at 2θ of 7.6+0.5.

6. The composition of claim 1 having unit cell dimensions of a=11.714 (9) A α=90° b=11.214 (9) A β=94.68° C.=16.197 (12) A γ=90°.

7. A process for preparation of form III monoclinic crystals of (−) cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-one, the process comprising dissolving Lamivudine in water at 45° C., cooling the solution slowly under stirring, and separating the crystalline form from mother liquor.

8. The process as claimed in claim 7 wherein the rate of cooling is in the range of 0.5° C./min to 3.5° C./min.

9. The process as claimed in claim 7 further comprising seeding the solution with form III crystals at 30° C. during cooling.

10. The process as claimed in claim 7 further comprising washing with organic solvent and drying of the product wherein the organic solvent employed for washing the crystals is selected from the group consisting of C1 to C4 aliphatic alcohols.

11. The process as claimed in claim 10 wherein the organic solvent employed for washing the crystals is ethanol.

12. A process for preparation of form III monoclinic crystals of (−) cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-one, the process comprising stirring Lamivudine crystal form I or crystal form II in water at a temperature between 20 to 45° C., cooling the mixture slowly under stirring, and separating the crystalline form from mother liquor.

13. The process as claimed in claim 12 further comprising washing with organic solvent and drying of the product wherein the organic solvent employed for washing the crystals is selected from C1 to C4 aliphatic alcohols

14. A process as claimed in claim 13 wherein the organic solvent employed for washing the crystals is ethanol.

15. A pharmaceutical composition in solid dosage unit form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of (−)-cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-(1H)-pyrimidin-2-one in monoclinic crystalline form III in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

16. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 15 in oral administration form.

17. A pharmaceutical composition useful for treating HIV infections in humans which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) and (−)-cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one in monoclinic crystalline form III in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

18. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 18 in oral administration form.

19. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 19 in tablet form.

20. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 19 in capsule form.

21. A method of treating HIV infections in humans which comprises administering to a human in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) and (−)-cis-4-amino-1-(2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl)-IH-pyrimidin-2-one in monoclinic crystalline form III in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

22. The method according to claim 22 wherein the administration is sequential.

23. The method according to claim 22 wherein the administration is simultaneous.

24. The method according to claim 22 wherein the administration is oral.

25. The method according to claim 25 wherein the oral administration is in tablet form.

26. The method according to claim 25 wherein the oral administration is in capsule form.