Vardenafil Hydrochloride Trihydrate Stability via Stearic Acid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate in existing pharmaceutical formulations is prone to converting into its base form during storage, affecting stability and bioavailability due to variable water content and ambient conditions, leading to inconsistent plasma concentrations and reduced efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A stable pharmaceutical formulation of Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate is achieved by incorporating stearic acid and other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, such as microcrystalline cellulose and crospovidone, which prevents the conversion to the base form through dry granulation and compression, maintaining stability without exposure to humidified gas during processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate is used in conventional pharmaceutical formulations without additional stabilizing agents, then the formulation is simple to manufacture, but the active substance converts into its base form during storage, reducing stability and bioavailability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrateVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Stearic acid is introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between the Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate and the environment. It forms a protective interaction with the active substance, preventing conversion to the base form without requiring complex formulation systems or controlled storage conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite pharmaceutical formulation by combining Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate with stearic acid and other excipients. This composite structure provides enhanced stability to the active substance while maintaining manufacturability and addressing the conversion issue through material composition rather than process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate is exposed to humidified gas during processing to maintain trihydrate form, then the trihydrate form is stabilized, but the processing complexity increases and controlled humidity conditions are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrihydrate form stabilityVSAvoidprocessing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Stearic acid is incorporated into the formulation during the manufacturing process, performing a preliminary stabilizing action that prevents future conversion of the trihydrate form. This eliminates the need for subsequent exposure to humidified gas or controlled humidity conditions during storage and handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The formulation becomes self-stabilizing through the inclusion of stearic acid, which continuously protects the Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate from converting to the base form. The system maintains the trihydrate form through its own composition rather than requiring external control measures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If magnesium stearate is used as a lubricant in the formulation, then the manufacturing process is facilitated, but it promotes the conversion of Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate to the base form, reducing stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing facilitationVSAvoidstability of Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the lubricant from magnesium stearate to stearic acid. This parameter change fundamentally alters the interaction with Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate, preventing the conversion to base form while still providing the necessary lubricating function for manufacturing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of using a lubricant that causes conversion into a benefit by selecting stearic acid, which provides both lubrication for easy manufacturing and simultaneous protection against conversion. The same class of compound (fatty acid-based lubricant) is used, but with beneficial properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP2895171B1A stable pharmaceutical formulation containing vardenafil hydrochloride
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 ZENTIVA AS
  • EP2895171B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2895171B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2895171B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation for oral administration, the formulation containing an effective quantity of Vardenafil hydrochloride or Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate, stearic acid and at least one further pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A further solution provides a process for the preparation of said formulation.