Preformulation Studies on the S-Isomer of Oxybutynin Hydrochloride, an Improved Chemical Entity (ICE™)

Abstract

(S)-Oxybutynin HCl (S-OXY) is a white crystalline solid powder with an acicular particle morphology. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms revealed one characteristic endotherm at 116.2°C. On rescanning a sample heated to 120°C, no thermal events were distinguished in the temperature range 25°C to 150°C. Weight loss curves determined by thermogravimetric analysis showed a continuous, gradual weight loss of about 0.15% over the temperature range 30°C to 110°C, followed by a change in slope and more rapid weight loss beginning at 150°C. Observation by hot-stage microscopy confirmed the melting endotherm observed by DSC. Equilibrium moisture uptake studies indicated low water vapor uptake at low relative humidities (< 52.8%). At relative humidities of 75.3% and 84.3%, S-OXY first deliquesced and then converted to a lower melting point crystal form. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) data supported the DSC findings. S-OXY underwent degradation by ester hydrolysis at alkaline pHs. The kinetics of this reaction were studied at 25°C in carbonate-bicarbonate buffers. Observed rate constants of 0.008 h−1 and 0.0552 h−1 were determined at pH 9.69 and 10.25, respectively. The pKa of S-OXY was 7.75. The aqueous solubility of S-OXY was described as a function of pH and the free-base solubility. The mean partition coefficient log P was 3.33 using 1-octanol. The surface tensions of aqueous solutions of S-OXY decreased with increasing concentration, but no concentration-independent region was observed, indicating that S-OXY does not form micelles in aqueous solution. The dissolution rate of S-OXY from a compressed disk in 0.1 N HCl was rapid, whereas it was considerably slower at pH 7.4. Addition of 1% hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) at pH 7.4 significantly improved the dissolution rate. S-OXY displayed very poor flow properties when compared to standard pharmaceutical excipients. XRPD results indicated that S-OXY exhibited a loss in crystallinity following ball milling. Hiestand tableting indices indicated that S-OXY has good bonding properties and forms strong compacts, but is likely to be susceptible to capping on ejection from the die. This indicated the need for a plastically deformable excipient such as Avicel PH-101 in tablet formulations.