Batch crystallization of rifapentine for inhalable tuberculosis medication

Abstract

Abstract. In the midst of Tuberculosis (TB) pandemic, a research about new tuberculosis drug that results in more rapid resolution of tubercular infection is important. It will play a crucial role in accelerating the reductions in tuberculosis incidence that is occurring worldwide. The effectiveness of rifapentine has been assessed and it has been proven to be the most effective antibiotics for TB. A frequent administration and dose of rifapentine resulted in more rapid resolution of tubercular infection. However, based on former research, high exposure levels for treatment shortening may be unachievable with oral administration and might instead be achieved by direct aerosol delivery of rifapentine to the pulmonary site of infection. Therefore, with the growing interest in the effectiveness of rifapentine in frequent administration and dose, this research integrates an inhalable form of crystalline rifapentine prepared using a batch process. Moreover, this research investigates the effect of seed loading, supersaturation ratio, and residence time on the characterization of crystalline rifapentine in order to form a crystalline rifapentine in an inhalable size. The research was carried out by using anti-solvent crystallization method with acetone as a solvent and distilled water as an anti-solvent. Based on the assessment of various operating variables, it can be concluded that the optimum result was obtained at the unseeded experiment with supersaturation ratio = 1.26. Unseeded experiments are preferred because the ideal size for therapeutic aerosol was achieved in unseeded experiments.