Calcium Citrate Suspension Formulation for Bioavailability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current calcium supplementation methods, particularly using calcium carbonate, face challenges such as side effects like kidney stones, poor bioavailability, and difficulties in formulation, especially for elderly and pediatric patients, due to the low calcium content and solubility issues of calcium citrate, leading to compliance problems and inefficient dosage forms.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous suspension formulation comprising calcium citrate, xanthan gum, and lactic acid, which provides a stable, ready-to-use, and easily consumable form of calcium supplementation, allowing for higher dosages in smaller volumes, reducing the need for multiple tablets and improving bioavailability and patient compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If calcium carbonate is used for supplementation, then calcium dosage is high, but kidney stones risk increases and bioavailability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form of calcium from carbonate to citrate, altering its solubility characteristics and absorption properties. Calcium citrate has lower risk of kidney stone formation while maintaining adequate bioavailability, directly resolving the contradiction between high calcium dosage and kidney stones risk
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite formulation containing calcium citrate combined with citric acid and buffering agents. This composite approach enhances the solubility and bioavailability of calcium citrate, allowing high calcium dosage without the harmful effects of calcium carbonate while maintaining patient compliance
2Reliability
If calcium citrate is used for supplementation, then bioavailability improves and kidney stones risk reduces, but formulation stability deteriorates due to solubility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces citric acid as an intermediary substance that forms soluble complexes with calcium citrate. This intermediary mechanism enhances the solubility of calcium citrate in aqueous environments, maintaining formulation stability while preserving the high bioavailability and low kidney stone risk benefits of calcium citrate
3Reliability
If calcium citrate is used for supplementation, then bioavailability improves, but volume required for effective dosage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameters of the formulation by adding citric acid and buffering agents. This parameter change increases the solubility of calcium citrate, allowing higher concentrations of elemental calcium to be delivered in smaller volumes while maintaining the high bioavailability advantage of calcium citrate
4Ease of manufacture
If calcium carbonate is used for supplementation, then manufacturing is simple, but patient compliance deteriorates due to side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite formulation with calcium citrate, citric acid, and buffering agents that can be manufactured using standard pharmaceutical techniques. This composite approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving patient compliance by eliminating the side effects associated with calcium carbonate, such as kidney stones and gastrointestinal discomfort
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The formulation achieves stable suspensions that are easy to take, providing effective calcium supplementation with reduced side effects, enhanced bioavailability, and improved patient compliance, particularly suitable for elderly and pediatric patients, effectively preventing bone mass loss diseases like osteoporosis.
Implementation Method 1
An aqueous suspension formulation comprising calcium citrate, xanthan gum, and lactic acid
Implementation Method 2
xanthan gum, and lactic acid, which provides a stable, ready-to-use, and easily consumable form
Implementation Method 3
calcium citrate, xanthan gum, and lactic acid, which provides a stable, ready-to-use, and easily consumable form of calcium supplementation, allowing for higher dosages in smaller volumes, reducing the need for multiple tablets and improving bioavailability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a formulation in the form of an aqueous suspension comprising calcium citrate. Said formulation exhibits excellent stability and compliance and finds use in calcium supplementation in subjects in need of such supplementation.