HPMC Capsules: Current Status and Future Prospects

Abstract

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is employed for a wide variety of pharmaceutical and food preparations. Its applications as viscolizing agent (thickening agent), coating polymer, bioadhesive, in solid dispersion to enhance solubility, binder in the process of granulation and in modified release formulations have been well documented. One other notable use is in the production of capsule shells, replacing the animal derived gelatin in conventional two-piece capsules. The aim of this review is to systemically survey published literature on the HPMC use in capsule shells and resolve questions regarding their suitability as a replacement for hard gelatin capsules. Future refinements in the production and filling of HPMC capsule shells and improvement in their in vivo/in vitro dissolution would ensure their superiority over hard gelatin capsules.

Adaptation of Hard Gelatin Capsules for Aqueous Solution Delivery Using Gamma Radiation

“…These results were confirmed by the findings of the water uptake study. Taken together, the results confirm previously reported data showing that the dissolution of HGCs and consequently the bioavailability of the contents are affected by different types of crosslinking 22,25 .…”

“…Several studies have shown that gelatin protein crosslinking has a detrimental effect on HGC solubility, which may affect the drug's bioavailability [24][25] . As the type-B gelatin used in the study has an isoelectric point (IP) of ≈ 5.5.…”

A physicochemical study of sugar palm (Arenga Pinnata) starch films plasticized by glycerol and sorbitol

“…Many researchers have investigated and developed natural substances from vegetal sources into medical capsule material. Numerous natural polysaccharides have also been investigated for their potentials to replace gelatin [1][2][3].…”

Future prospect of insulin inhalation for diabetic patients: The case of Afrezza versus Exubera

“…Since then and for several decades to follow, the failure to utilize pulmonary route was attributed to large insulin doses required and the low blood insulin levels attained. To overcome this, researches focused on three approaches to maximize the efficiency of these inhaled products namely using: the right formulation, inhaler and breaths in and out techniques by the patients [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. An example of the inhaler influence on insulin bioavailability is when Gen2 inhaler (Afrezza current inhaler) replaced MedTone inhaler during clinical development for the aerosolization of Technosphere insulin (TI) formulation (i.e., Afrezza formulation), it was possible to reduce the device loaded dose to two third [19,20].…”