Flavored Carprofen Tablet Formulation for Palatability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pharmaceutical compositions of carprofen lack palatability, leading to poor compliance and bioequivalence issues, especially in non-chewable tablet forms, which are difficult to manufacture and costly due to the need for coatings and solvents.
Innovation Solution
A palatable, non-chewable carprofen tablet formulation incorporating artificial powdered beef flavor as a flavoring agent, replacing some filler ingredients, prepared through dry blending and tablet compression, maintaining the same dissolution profile and bioequivalence as less palatable compositions without flavoring agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If carprofen is formulated as a non-chewable tablet without flavoring agents, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but palatability deteriorates leading to poor compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the tablet - specifically incorporating flavoring agents (meat flavors like beef, chicken, lamb) and fatty acid components (omega-3, omega-6, omega-9) in optimized concentrations. These parameter changes transform the tablet from unpalatable to highly palatable while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard compression processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining carprofen with multiple functional components: flavoring agents (natural or artificial), fatty acids (fish oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil), and excipients. This composite formulation achieves both palatability and manufacturability by integrating these materials in a synergistic composition that can be produced via conventional tablet compression
2Ease of operation
If carprofen tablets are made chewable with flavoring agents, then palatability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase due to coatings and solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex coating and solvent-based processes from the manufacturing workflow. Instead of applying post-formulation coatings to achieve palatability, the flavoring agents and fatty acids are incorporated directly into the tablet matrix during compression, removing the need for separate coating operations and solvent handling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single formulation step: the tablet compression process simultaneously achieves drug delivery, flavor incorporation, and texturization. The flavoring agents and fatty acids are blended with carprofen and excipients in a single mixing and compression operation, combining what would traditionally require separate coating and flavoring steps
3Ease of operation
If flavoring agents are added to carprofen tablets, then voluntary acceptance rate increases, but dissolution profile may be altered affecting bioequivalence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the concentration parameters of flavoring agents and fatty acids within specific ranges that optimize palatability while maintaining dissolution characteristics. By adjusting these compositional parameters, the formulation achieves high voluntary acceptance without compromising the dissolution profile required for bioequivalence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning flavoring agents and fatty acids in specific micro-environments within the tablet matrix. This spatial distribution ensures that flavor release occurs primarily in the oral cavity during chewing and swallowing, while the bulk drug dissolution and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract remain unaffected, preserving bioequivalence
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 flavored carprofen tablets achieve high voluntary acceptance rates (>90%) and maintain bioequivalence with unflavored compositions, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while effectively relieving pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and postoperative surgery.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flavoring agent, pleasing to canines, replaces at least some filler
Implementation Method 2
prepared through dry blending and tablet compression
Implementation Method 3
prepared through dry blending and tablet compression
Implementation Method 4
relieving clinical symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and postoperative surgery in mammals, by reduced prostaglandin production via inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a more palatable pharmaceutical composition comprising carprofen and at least one flavoring agent, and more particularly pertains to a more palatable and more voluntarily consumed pharmaceutically active dosage of carprofen, made available in the form of an orally administered tablet that is easy to swallow, with the same dissolution profile and bioequivalence of less palatable carprofen compositions, such as those compositions without a flavoring agent, and used for the indication of relieving clinical symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and postoperative surgery in mammals, by reduced prostaglandin production via inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2. Also included are analytical methods for in vitro dissolution testing of this unique composition to demonstrate bioequivalence to less palatable non-flavored and chewable compositions.