The Open Drug Delivery Journal

2010, 4 : 02-13
Published online 2010 April 29. DOI: 10.2174/1874126601004010002
Publisher ID: TODDJ-4-2

Biorelevant Dissolution Methods and Their Applications in In Vitro- In Vivo Correlations for Oral Formulations

Nikoletta Fotaki and Maria Vertzoni
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY UK

ABSTRACT

Dissolution tests that can predict the in vivo performance of drug products are usually called biorelevant dissolution tests. Biorelevant dissolution testing can be used to guide formulation development, to identify food effects on the dissolution and bioavailability of orally administered drugs, and to identify solubility limitations and stability issues. To develop a biorelevant dissolution test for oral dosage forms, the physiological conditions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that can affect drug dissolution are taken into consideration according to the properties of the drug and dosage form. A variety of biorelevant methods in terms of media and hydrodynamics to simulate the contents and the conditions of the GI tract are presented. The ability of biorelevant dissolution methods to predict in vivo performance and generate successful in vitro–in vivo correlations (IVIVC) for oral formulations are also discussed through several studies.

Keywords:

Biorelevant media, stomach, small intestine, colon, hydrodynamics, dissolution, IVIVC, IVIVR.