Simultaneous FTIR Spectroscopic Imaging and Visible Photography to Monitor Tablet Dissolution and Drug Release

• Published in: Pharmaceutical research Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 853 - 860
• Main Authors: Kazarian, Sergei G., van der Weerd, Jaap
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.04.2008; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedicine; Drug Carriers; General pharmacology; Hypromellose Derivatives; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Interferometry; Light; Medical Law; Medical sciences; Methylcellulose - analogs & derivatives; Methylcellulose - chemistry; Multivariate analysis; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacy; Photography; Pyrrolidines - chemistry; Reproducibility of Results; Research Paper; Scientific imaging; Solubility; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Spectrum analysis; Tablets; Technology, Pharmaceutical - methods; Time Factors; Water - chemistry; controlled release; visible photography; dissolution; hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; FT-IR imaging; drug release; multivariate analysis; ATR; gel; Drug; Fourier transformation; Pharmaceutical technology; Controlled release form; Dissolution; Colloidal gel; Infrared spectrometry; Monitor; Dosage form; Medical imagery; Tablet; Hypromellose; Release
• ISSN: 0724-8741; 1573-904X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11095-007-9375-4

Purpose Previous studies of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-based tablet during exposure to water showed a number of ‘fronts’ moving into the tablet but led to contradictory interpretations. These fronts are related to water penetration into and dissolution of the tablet, but the exact nature can not be derived from visible photographic evidence. A method to study tablet dissolution simultaneously by Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) imaging and macro-photography can assist in providing correct interpretation of the observed fronts. Methods Therefore, the combination of macro-photography and FTIR-ATR spectroscopic imaging was developed and used to interpret the physical changes leading to the observed fronts. Buflomedyl pyridoxal phosphate (BPP), a coloured drug, was used as a model drug. Results The quantitative results obtained by FTIR-ATR imaging enabled the attribution of the three observed fronts (inside to outside) to: (1) true water penetration, possibly combined with (partial) dissolution of buflomedyl pyridoxal phosphate (BPP); (2) total gellification of HPMC; (3) erosion front. Conclusions The method to study dissolution of a tablet simultaneously by FTIR-ATR imaging and macro-photography has been developed and used to obtain reliable interpretation of the fronts observed during tablet dissolution.