The fate of ritonavir in the presence of darunavir

Abstract

This study was the first investigation into the potential of a fixed dose combination of ritonavir and darunavir in the form of dispersible powders prepared by spray drying. A common polymer (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate 64) was formulated with either ritonavir or darunavir or a combination of ritonavir and darunavir. The influence of these polymers on the supersaturation level of ritonavir and darunavir was investigated. The concentration levels of ritonavir and darunavir during these tests dropped instantly to a plateau which could be considered as amorphous solubility. Besides, the presence of darunavir always decreased the supersaturation level of ritonavir and vice versa no matter which polymers were used. Moreover, the rate and extent of release of both ritonavir and darunavir from ternary spray-dried powders were less than the releases from binary spray-dried powders. Intermolecular interaction between ritonavir and darunavir was ruled out by 1H NMR study which means that the decrease in supersaturation level or release must be at least partially attributed to the mediated solvent process. In order to restrict the mutual influence between darunavir and ritonavir, a complex of both ritonavir and darunavir with (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin was prepared and improved the dissolution rate of both ritonavir and darunavir.