Orally Disintegrating PPI Pellets with Composite Enteric Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current orally disintegrating compositions containing proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are susceptible to alcohol-induced dose dumping, which can lead to fluctuations in drug concentration and pose safety concerns, and there is a need for formulations that maintain therapeutic efficacy even in the presence of alcohol.

Innovation Solution

Development of an orally disintegrating composition comprising enteric coated active cores with a disintegrant, which rapidly disintegrates in the oral cavity and maintains resistance to alcohol-induced dose dumping, ensuring a release profile similar to conventional compositions both with and without alcohol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If enteric coating materials (cellulose, vinyl, acrylic derivatives) are used to protect PPIs from stomach acid, then the PPIs are protected from degradation, but the coating becomes susceptible to alcohol-induced dose dumping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of PPI from degradationVSAvoidalcohol-induced dose dumping
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite enteric coating system comprising multiple layers with different polymer materials. The inner layer contains cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) and the outer layer contains hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP). This composite structure provides synergistic protection where CAP provides initial acid resistance and HPMCP provides enhanced alcohol resistance, preventing dose dumping while maintaining PPI protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the enteric coating by selecting specific phthalate esters with appropriate molecular weights and substituting hydroxypropyl groups. These parameter changes enhance the coating's resistance to alcohol while maintaining its pH-dependent solubility characteristics, thereby preventing dose dumping in the presence of alcohol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional enteric coated tablets are used, then PPIs are protected during stomach passage, but patient compliance is reduced due to swallowing difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection during stomach passageVSAvoidpatient compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the enteric coated tablet into smaller granules or pellets, each individually coated with the enteric coating system. This segmentation allows the medication to be administered in a form that is easier to swallow while maintaining the protective function of the enteric coating. The segmented structure also improves disintegration characteristics in the oral cavity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the enteric coating selectively to specific regions or surfaces of the dosage form components. The coating is applied to provide localized protection where needed while maintaining other desirable properties such as disintegration and dissolution in specific locations within the gastrointestinal tract.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the enteric coating is designed for rapid disintegration in oral cavity, then patient compliance improves, but the coating may lose gastro-resistance and cause dose dumping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient complianceVSAvoidgastro-resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the enteric coating with dynamic properties that allow it to respond differently to various environmental conditions. The coating maintains its integrity and resistance in acidic and alcoholic environments but undergoes controlled disintegration in neutral pH conditions of the oral cavity and intestinal fluids, providing both compliance improvement and dose dumping prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 composition effectively prevents alcohol-induced dose dumping, maintaining therapeutic equivalence to non-orally disintegrating forms, with less than 20% drug release in 15 minutes at 0.1N HCl and 40% ethanol, ensuring consistent drug absorption and safety.

Implementation Method 1

Enteric coating materials are polymers which contain acidic functional groups capable of being ionized at elevated pH values. At low pH values (e.g. the acidic environment of the stomach), the enteric polymers are not ionized, and therefore, insoluble.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH-dependent ionization:

Implementation Method 2

As the pH increases (e.g. when entering the small intestine), the acidic functional groups ionize and the polymer becomes soluble.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH-dependent solubility:

Implementation Method 3

an orally disintegrating composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a proton pump inhibitor and at least one disintegrant, wherein after administration, the composition substantially disintegrates in the oral cavity of a subject in need thereof within less than about 60 seconds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDisintegration:

Data Source

PatentUS11986554B2Orally disintegrating compositions
Publication Date: 2024.05.21 DEXCEL PHARMA TECH LTD

AI summary

An orally disintegrating dosage form of a proton pump inhibitor, methods for its production and use thereof are provided. The dosage form includes a plurality of pellets containing a proton pump inhibitor admixed with a disintegrant to afford rapid disintegration in the oral cavity after administration.