There is a multivitamin capsule I'm working on that ended up being too big, I'm thinking of changing the excipients as a way to make the capsule smaller and more convenient to take. the capsule contains omega three and other vitamins, that's why it's a soft gelatin capsule. so, I would also like to know if there are other options for the final dosage form.
I think vitamins have very large therapeutic index. If capsule size is big develop your formulation as liquid syrup. It will be much convenient for the patient to take exact dose with cap of the container shoving ml marking for dose measurement.
Hi,
Refer following books for choosing appropraite excipients -
Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients by Rowe, Sheskey and Quinn.
Excipient applications in formulation design and drug delivery by Narang and Boddu.
In order to make the capsules smaler, you need to increase the drug load. For that you need higher solubility in the formulation exipients. Therefore, try to use cosolvents for solubilization to mazixize the solubility.
I'm sorry, I don't know very well. Maybe you should do a screening test.
there is the book of the handbook of pharmaceutical excipients
as a galenist, I suppose:
soft capsule shaping contains omega 3 plus other vitamins causes a large capsule therefore it is possible just to administer the liquid contents and discard the gelatinous capsule.
otherwise you have to think about the form:
* separate omega 3 and vitamins (soft capsule + tablets)
* otherwise you will perform tests reducing vitamins to reduce the size of the capsule.
* if possible, try to incorporate some vitamins into the gelatin mass
Good luck
Dear Hiba
I will suggest you rework the formulation and consider reducing the excipients/bulking agents used. In any case you have to ensure each capsule contains the right dosage of the active of interests.
You may wish to check the the following handbook. I have the soft copies of vol 1-4 and will be willing to share.
Handbook of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Formulations, By Sarfaraz K. Niazi
Volume 1, Compressed Solid Products
Volume 2, Uncompressed Solid Products
Volume 3, Liquid Products
Volume 4, Semisolid Products
Volume 5, Over-the-Counter Products
Also, I have the e-copies of Matindale, Bp 2013 software, USP30-N25 e-version, European pharmacopeia, Japanese pharmacopeia, Indian pharmacopeia (vol 1-3) and will be willing to share. Maybe it will help in suggesting assay method for the drug you are formulating.
Regards,
C.E.
Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients is a good reference. it will give you decent number of choices.
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