Non-degradable microparticles containing a hydrophilic and/or a lipophilic drug: preparation, characterization and drug release modeling

Non-degradable microparticles based on ammonio methacrylate copolymers (Eudragit RS:RL 4:1 blends) containing the hydrophilic drug propranolol HCl and/or the lipophilic drug nifedipine were prepared with an oil-in-water (O/W) and a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) solvent evaporation technique. Both drugs were successfully incorporated separately as well as simultaneously. In all cases, the resulting release rate(s) of the drug(s) was/were found to be controlled over periods of at least 8 h. To elucidate the underlying mass transport mechanisms, the microparticles were thoroughly characterized by X-ray powder diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, particle size analysis, and determination of the actual drug loading(s). Analytical solutions of Fick’s second law of diffusion considering non-steady state conditions were used to describe the release of propranolol HCl. Interestingly, the resistance for drug release within the unstirred liquid boundary layers on the surfaces of the microparticles was found to be negligible compared to the diffusional resistance within the polymeric devices. Importantly, the mathematical theories could be used to normalize the experimentally determined in vitro drug release with respect to the microparticle size. Thus, the effect of the type of preparation method (O/W vs. W/O/W) and device composition (polymer blend plus one drug only vs. polymer blend plus drug combination) on the diffusional resistance within the microparticles could be studied. In addition, further insight into the occurring mass transport processes was gained. For example, the time-dependent evolution of the drug concentration profiles within the microparticles upon exposure to the release medium could be calculated. An interesting practical application of the mathematical theories is the possibility to predict the effect of different formulation parameters on the resulting drug release patterns, e.g. the effect of the microparticle size.