Determination of physical and chemical stability in pressurised metered dose inhalers: potential new techniques

Abstract

Introduction: Pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) are subject to rigorous physical and chemical stability tests during formulation. Due to the time and cost associated with product development studies, there is a need for online techniques to fast screen new formulations in terms of physical and chemical (physico-chemical) stability. The problem with achieving this is that pMDIs are by their definition, pressurised, making the direct observation of physico-chemical properties in situ difficult.

Areas covered: This review highlights the characterisation tools that can enhance the product development process for pMDIs. Techniques investigated include: laser diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, isothermal ampoule calorimetry, titration calorimetry and gas perfusion calorimetry. The operational principles behind each technique are discussed and complemented with examples from the literature.

Expert opinion: Laser diffraction is well placed to analyse real-time physical stability as a function of particle size; however, its use is restricted to suspension pMDIs. Raman spectroscopy can be potentially used to attain both suspension and solution pMDI spectra in real time; however, the majority of experiments are ex-valve chemical composition mapping. Calorimetry is an effective technique in capturing both chemical and physical degradations of APIs in real time but requires redevelopment to withstand pressure for the purposes of pMDI screening.

Keywords:

• drug stability
• fast screening techniques
• isothermal calorimetry
• laser diffraction
• pressurised metered dose inhalers
• Raman

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organisation or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Notes

This box summarises key points contained in the article.