Development of low dose micro-tablets by high shear wet granulation process

Abstract

Low dose micro-tablets with acceptable quality attributes, specifically content uniformity (CU), would not only enhance the dose flexibility in the clinic, but also decrease excipient burden in pediatric population. Considering the CU challenges associated with directly compressed low dose micro-tablets, in this study, high shear wet granulation (HSWG) process was evaluated to manufacture micro-tablets with reduced CU variability. The impact of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) particle size (D₉₀ - 18-180 µm) and loading (0.67-16.67% w/w) on the critical quality attributes of micro-tablets (1.2 and 1.5 mm) like weight variability, CU, and dissolution were evaluated. Experimental results showed that final blends with flow function coefficient (ff_c) ≥ 5.4 or Hausner ratio (HR) ≤ 1.43 facilitated robust compression of micro-tablets. With enhanced weight control, all the batches except the 1.2 mm micro-tablets and 2.0 mm micro-tablets with 0.67% w/w API loading and coarse API particle size (D₉₀ - 180 µm) resulted in CU variability that meets the USP <905> CU acceptance criteria for individual micro-tablets. Apart from the above mentioned 1.2 mm micro-tablets, all the batches meet the USP <905> CU acceptance criteria for composites of 10 or more micro-tablets. Precise delivery of micro-tablets manufactured in the current study would allow dose titration in the increments of 11 mcg. The API particle size and loading impacted the in-vitro dissolution performance of micro-tablets with smaller API particle size and lower loading resulting in faster release profiles. This study provides a framework for developing low dose micro-tablets with acceptable quality attributes using HSWG process for micro-dosing, enhanced dose flexibility, and decreased excipient burden.

Keywords: Content uniformity; Dose flexibility; Drug particle size; High shear wet granulation; Ibuprofen (PubChem CID: 3672); Micro-dose; Micro-tablets.