Factors affecting pellet properties:
Factors affecting pellet properties
Hot Melt extrusion:
Hot Melt extrusion Drug substance and excipients are converted into a molten state and subsequently shaped using appropriate equipment to provide solid spheres or pellets. The process requires pieces of equipment such as blenders, extruders, cutters and spheronizers . Extremely robust and a viable method of producing many different drug delivery systems, including implantable reservoirs, pellets, capsules, films, sustained release, controlled release and transdermal as well as transmucosal drug delivery system. For preparation of solid dispersion and solid solution for delivery of poorly soluble drug Helps to mask bitter taste of API.
Process technology for melt extrusion:
Process technology for melt extrusion
Advantages of HME:
Advantages of HME Sustained release or immediate release with pellets and can be prepared in single step Unique, monosize as compared to other pelletization techniques. Simple, efficient, economic and continuous process No any lengthy drying stage and does not involve addition of water and organic solvents. Absence of water prevent drug degradation which are unstable in presence of water. Reduce the loss of coating material.
Cold extrusion:
Cold extrusion It is done at room temperature or near R.T.. Advantages Lack of oxidation, higher strength due to cold working, closer tolerance Good surface finish Fast extrusion speed. Materials Lead, tin, aluminum, copper, zirconium, titanium, molybdenum, steel Examples of products Collapsible tubes, fire extinguisher cases, shock absorber cylinders, automatic pistons, gear blanks.
Equipments for extrusion :
Equipments for extrusion