PPI Suspension Stability via Poloxamer and Buffer Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Patients, particularly pediatric and geriatric populations, face challenges in swallowing solid dosage forms of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), necessitating a stable and palatable liquid formulation for effective management of acid-related disorders.

Innovation Solution

A stable liquid formulation of a compounded suspension of PPIs, comprising a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, simethicone emulsion, a buffer system, preservative, thickening agent, sweetener, and water, which is homogenous and stable for at least 30 days at refrigerated conditions, allowing for flexible dosing and improved palatability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solid dosage forms of PPIs are used, then stability and ease of manufacture are improved, but patient compliance deteriorates due to inability to swallow

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidpatient compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the PPI from solid capsule form to liquid suspension form by changing the physical state parameter. This allows patients who cannot swallow solids to receive the medication in a liquid form while maintaining therapeutic efficacy through controlled pH and stability-enhancing excipients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces multiple excipients as intermediaries including polymers (carboxymethylcellulose sodium, xanthan gum), buffers (sodium bicarbonate, citric acid), and stabilizers (polysorbate 80) that mediate between the PPI active ingredient and the liquid vehicle, ensuring stability, suspension, and palatability simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If liquid formulation of PPI is prepared, then patient compliance is improved, but stability and homogeneity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient complianceVSAvoidstability and homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite liquid formulation system combining PPI powder with multiple functional excipients: suspending agents (carboxymethylcellulose sodium, xanthan gum), buffers (sodium bicarbonate, citric acid), stabilizers (polysorbate 80), and flavoring agents. This composite structure maintains homogeneity and stability while providing liquid form benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different functional properties to different components of the formulation: carboxnymethylcellulose sodium and xanthan gum provide suspension and viscosity control, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid maintain pH buffer capacity, polysorbate 80 prevents aggregation, and flavoring agents improve palatability. Each component addresses specific local requirements of the formulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple excipients are added to liquid PPI formulation, then stability and homogeneity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability and homogeneityVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs excipients that perform multiple functions simultaneously: carboxymethylcellulose sodium and xanthan gum serve as both suspending agents and viscosity modifiers; sodium bicarbonate and citric acid function as both pH adjusters and buffer system components; polysorbate 80 acts as both stabilizer and emulsifier. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate additives for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 liquid formulation achieves enhanced stability, improved homogeneity, and optimized viscosity, ensuring accurate and uniform dosing, increased patient compliance, and effective management of acid-related disorders in challenging patient populations.

Implementation Method 1

The liquid formulation comprises a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide... In a particular embodiment, the copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide is Poloxamer 188

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

simethicone emulsion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Implementation Method 3

a buffer system such as sodium bicarbonate and sodium citrate, as well as a preservative that is benzyl alcohol... The pH of the liquid formulation is 8.0 or greater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuffer system:

Implementation Method 4

a preservative that is benzyl alcohol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPreservative: Preservative

Implementation Method 5

a thickening agent that is xanthan gum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThickening agent:

Implementation Method 6

propylene glycol, a dye, a flavoring agent, and water. One skilled in the art will recognize propylene glycol as an aid to properly disperse xanthan gum in the liquid formulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvent:

Data Source

PatentEP3471725B1Composition and method for proton pump inhibitor suspension
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 AZURITY PHARMA INC

AI summary

Suspensions of pump inhibitors (PPIs) are disclosed. The suspension may include a PPI, a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; simethicone emulsion; Sodium Bicarbonate; and Sodium Citrate, USP (Dihydrate). The suspensions have desirable viscosities and enhanced stability.