The influence of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) molecular weight, concentration and effect of food on in vivo erosion behavior of HPMC matrix tablets

Four different hydrophilic matrix formulations based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were investigated for erosion properties in vivo. Three formulations contained a fixed amount of HPMC (40%) with varying proportions of two HPMC grades with different molecular weights (Methocel K100LV and K4M), and a fourth formulation contained a lower amount of the HPMC of lower molecular weight (20%). The effect of food on the in vivo erosion behavior was investigated on two formulations containing different contents of the same HPMC grade. The in vivo erosion behavior and gastrointestinal transit were investigated using magnetic marker monitoring (MMM). The in vitro and in vivo erosion–time profiles show that the erosion was strongly dependent on the composition of the formulation. The formulations containing a larger proportion of high molecular weight HPMC or higher content of HPMC exhibit relatively slower erosion rate and vice versa. In vivo erosion rates were significantly higher under postprandial administration as compared to fasted state administration. No rapid disintegration of any of the formulations (i.e. formulation failure that can potentially cause dose dumping) was observed. [Display omitted]