Assessment of physical and dissolution characteristics of various itraconazole capsule formulations: a comparative analysis

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> This <em>in vitro</em> study compared physical parameters and the dissolution profile of innovator itraconazole capsule formulation, i-Tyza, and 5 other generic capsule formulations available in the Indian market.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The number of pellets and size distribution were determined using naked eye examination and sieving method, respectively. Dissolution profile of formulations was done at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes, using a United States Pharmacopeia type II Paddle apparatus in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) without enzymes, acetate buffer (pH 4.5) with 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) with 0.5% SLS.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> All formulations had capsule size 0. Capsule fill weight (~335 to ~510 mg) and total pellet number (127 to 810) varied across formulation, with the innovator brand having the highest number of pellets. Innovator product and i-Tyza had similar fill weight (~460 mg). Pellet size distribution of the innovator product, brand 2, brand 3, and i-Tyza was relatively narrow. In SGF, except brand 1 (84% dissolved) and brand 5 (80% dissolved), all the formulations had near-complete (>85% drug dissolved) or complete dissolution (>90% drug dissolved) at 60 minutes. In acetate buffer, pH 4.5 with 0.5% SLS and phosphate buffer, pH 6.8 with 0.5% SLS, only the innovator product and i-Tyza demonstrated near-complete to complete dissolution at 60 minutes (96% and 90% dissolved).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Across all the itraconazole generic formulations evaluated, i-Tyza had comparable physical characteristics and dissolution profile to the innovator product. The <em>in vitro</em> dissolution profile of i-Tyza may indicate adequate <em>in vivo</em> performance.</p>