JP2007161588A - Solid dispersion of fenofibrate and therapeutic agent for hyperlipemia containing the dispersion - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a preparation capable of readily being taken into the body by making it small-size without lowering medicinal benefits and a preparation improved in its solubility, in a therapeutic medicine for hyperlipemia in which a composition of fenofibrate with polyethylene glycol is formulated. <P>SOLUTION: The solid dispersion is prepared by melt-mixing fenofibrate with polyethylene glycol and solidifying the mixture. In the solid dispersion, the ratio of fenofibrate to the solid dispersion is ≥50 mass%. A capsule or a tablet comprises the solid dispersion. The capsule is obtained by mixing the solid dispersion with a crystalline cellulose and packing the mixture into a capsule or the capsule is obtained by mixing the solid dispersion with the crystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate and packing the mixture into a capsule. The therapeutic agent for hyperlipemia comprises the solid dispersion as an active ingredient. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a solid dispersion of fenofibrate and a therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia containing the same.

  Fenofibrate (chemical name: isopropyl 2- [4- (4-chlorobenzoyl) phenoxy] -2-methylpropionate) activates the hepatocyte nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorα (PPARα) It has the effect of regulating the expression of various proteins involved in metabolism, and has the effect of comprehensively improving lipid metabolism by lowering triglycerides and cholesterol in the body and increasing HDL-cholesterol. Therefore, it is frequently used as a therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia.

  Fenofibrate is sparingly soluble in water. This has led to a decrease in the bioavailability of fenofibrate. Therefore, in order to increase the bioavailability of fenofibrate, it is necessary to increase the solubility in vivo. In the past, various attempts have been made to improve the solubility of fenofibrate. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a composition in which a homogeneous mixture of fenofibrate and a solid surfactant is co-pulverized to improve solubility (hereinafter referred to as micronized fenofibrate). Formulations in which hard capsules are filled with this composition (hereinafter referred to as micronized fenofibrate formulation) are marketed under the names Lipidil capsules and Tricore capsules.

However, co-pulverization treatment of a homogeneous mixture of fenofibrate and solid surfactant takes a long time and is expensive. Further, the size of the particles pulverized by the co-pulverization treatment needs to be adjusted, and it is difficult to uniformly fill the hard gelatin capsules with the pulverized particles. Therefore, a technique for improving the bioavailability of fenofibrate without performing pulverization has been proposed. As an example, Patent Document 2 discloses a composition comprising a mixture of fenofibrate and an excipient such as polyethylene glycol, in which the fenofibrate and the excipient form an eutectic mixture, and this composition. Administration to hyperlipidemic patients is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-14876 Special table 2003-500399 gazette

  The invention of Patent Document 2 relates to a composition in which fenofibrate and an excipient form a eutectic mixture. However, in the invention of Patent Document 2, the ratio of fenofibrate to the fenofibrate of the eutectic mixture is about this composition. Compositions in the range of about 0.5% (w / w) to about 10% higher than the ratio of fibrates and excipients are preferred. However, when polyethylene glycol is used as an excipient, since the mass ratio of polyethylene glycol to fenofibrate is large, the ratio of fenofibrate to polyethylene glycol is 15 as described in Example 1 of Patent Document 2, for example. : When the composition of 85 is used, in practical use, one capsule has a large capsule with a mass of 446.7 mg (Capsule No. 1 (major axis: about 19.1 mm, minor axis: 6.9 mm) or larger size) Capsule).

In hyperlipidemia, which is an indication for fenofibrate, it is necessary to take the drug for a long time, and the size of the preparation greatly affects the compliance. In addition, there are many elderly patients with hyperlipidemia, and a decrease in swallowing function is often observed. Therefore, in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, the size of the preparation to be taken is particularly important for improving compliance.
An object of the present invention is to provide a preparation which is easy to take and is reduced in size without reducing the medicinal effect of a eutectic mixture of fenofibrate and polyethylene glycol. Furthermore, this invention aims at improving the solubility of the eutectic mixture of fenofibrate and polyethyleneglycol.

  The present invention relates to a solid dispersion prepared by melting and mixing fenofibrate with polyethylene glycol and then solidifying the solid dispersion, wherein the ratio of fenofibrate to the solid dispersion is 50% by mass or more. Is the body. Moreover, it is a capsule or a tablet comprising the above solid dispersion. Moreover, it is a capsule formed by mixing crystalline cellulose with the above solid dispersion and filling the capsule. Moreover, it is a capsule agent in which crystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate are mixed with the above solid dispersion and filled into capsules. Further, the present invention is a therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia comprising the solid dispersion as an active ingredient.

  Since the solid dispersion of fenofibrate and polyethylene glycol of the present invention has a large proportion of fenofibrate in the solid dispersion of 50% by mass or more, a high medicinal effect can be expected even when the same amount of the solid dispersion is used. Therefore, since the size of the capsule or tablet can be reduced, the compliance with medication can be improved. In addition, by mixing crystalline cellulose with this solid dispersion to form capsules, the bioavailability similar to that of pulverized fenofibrate can be improved without increasing the solubility in vivo. Can be expected.

  The present invention relates to a solid dispersion of fenofibrate and polyethylene glycol. As a method for preparing a solid dispersion, there are known a solution method, a melting method, a pulverization method, an adsorption method, and the like. The present invention relates to a solid dispersion prepared by a melting method. That is, the solid dispersion of the present invention is prepared by melting and mixing fenofibrate with polyethylene glycol and then solidifying. For example, it can be obtained by heating and mixing to a temperature sufficient to melt both fenofibrate and polyethylene glycol to obtain a clear solution, and then solidifying by cooling. The obtained solid dispersion is in a state where fenofibrate is dispersed as fine crystals in polyethylene glycol. As said polyethyleneglycol, the thing of molecular weight 600-20000, Preferably 4000-6000 are used.

  By making fenofibrate into a solid dispersion with polyethylene glycol, the solubility of fenofibrate in vivo is improved. In the solid dispersion of the present invention, the ratio of fenofibrate to the solid dispersion (the ratio of fenofibrate in the solid dispersion) is 50% by mass or more, preferably 67% by mass or more. That is, more fenofibrate is present than polyethylene glycol in the solid dispersion of the present invention. This solid dispersion is directly or pulverized to adjust the size, and if necessary, an additive is added and filled into a hard gelatin capsule or the like to form a capsule, or compressed into tablets. To.

  By the way, the above-mentioned solid dispersion is insufficient in bioavailability due to insufficient solubility because of a large proportion of fenofibrate. Capsules prepared by mixing crystalline cellulose into this solid dispersion and filling it into capsules improve the solubility, especially the initial solubility, and have been considered fine as a conventional fenofibrate drug. It has the same solubility as the fenofibrate formulation. The compounding quantity of crystalline cellulose is 30-60 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of solid dispersions, Preferably it is 35-50 mass parts. Further, when the ratio of fenofibrate in the solid dispersion is increased, for example, when the ratio of fenofibrate to polyethylene glycol is 2: 1, the solubility cannot be sufficiently improved even if crystalline cellulose is added. At this time, when crystalline cellulose is mixed with sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate and filled into capsules to form capsules, the solubility is further improved and approximates the solubility of micronized fenofibrate formulation. The compounding quantities of sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate are 5 to 10 parts by mass and 1 to 5 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid dispersion, respectively.

  When preparing capsules or tablets containing the solid dispersion of the present invention, disintegrants, surfactants, lubricants and the like are used as additives. As the disintegrant, crospovidone (also known as crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone), carmellose, carmellose sodium, carmellose calcium, or the like is used. As the surfactant, alkali metal sulfate of higher alcohol, ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymer (eg, polysorbate), sucrose fatty acid ester, etc. are used. As the lubricant, stearic acid, carnauba wax, silicic acid are used. Magnesium, talc, etc. are used.

  In addition to the above, pharmaceutically acceptable excipients may also be added to the formulation prior to making the desired final product. Examples of the excipient include sucrose, lactose, starches, calcium sulfate, and precipitated calcium carbonate. Furthermore, in addition to the above-mentioned additives, other pharmaceutically acceptable binders, fillers, diluents, lubricants or disintegrating agents necessary for preparing capsules or tablets may be blended.

  EXAMPLES Next, although an Example and a test example demonstrate this invention further in detail, this invention is not limited by these.

  Fenofibrate and polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 6000 were weighed out and mixed so that the mass ratio was 1: 1, and then heated to about 85 ° C. and mixed to obtain a transparent solution. The solution was then cooled at room temperature to produce a solid dispersion. The solid dispersion was crushed and sized with a 60-100 mesh screen. The solid dispersion particles 134 mg (containing 67 mg of fenofibrate) were filled into No. 4 capsules to form capsules.

  50 parts by mass of partially pregelatinized starch was added to and mixed with 100 parts by mass of the solid dispersion particles obtained in Example 1. No. 3 capsules were filled with 201 mg of this mixture (containing 67 mg of fenofibrate) to make capsules.

  To 100 parts by mass of the solid dispersion particles obtained in Example 1, 50 parts by mass of D-mannitol was added and mixed. No. 3 capsules were filled with 201 mg of this mixture (containing 67 mg of fenofibrate) to make capsules.

  50 parts by mass of lactose was added to and mixed with 100 parts by mass of the solid dispersion particles obtained in Example 1. No. 3 capsules were filled with 201 mg of this mixture (containing 67 mg of fenofibrate) to make capsules.

  50 parts by mass of crystalline cellulose was added to and mixed with 100 parts by mass of the solid dispersion particles obtained in Example 1. No. 3 capsules were filled with 201 mg of this mixture (containing 67 mg of fenofibrate) to make capsules.

  Fenofibrate and polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 6000 were weighed out and mixed so that the mass ratio was 2: 1, and then heated to about 85 ° C. and mixed to obtain a transparent solution. The solution was then cooled at room temperature to produce a solid dispersion. The solid dispersion was crushed and sized with a 60-100 mesh screen. To 100.0 parts by mass of the obtained solid dispersion particles, 67.0 parts by mass of crystalline cellulose was added and mixed. 150 mg of this mixture (containing 67 mg of fenofibrate) was filled into No. 4 capsules to make capsules.

  To 100 parts by mass of the solid dispersion particles obtained in Example 6, 39 parts by mass of crystalline cellulose, 8 parts by mass of sodium lauryl sulfate, and 3 parts by mass of magnesium stearate were added and mixed. 150 mg of this mixture (containing 67 mg of fenofibrate) was filled into No. 4 capsules to make capsules.

Test example 1
Fenofibrate and polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 6000 were weighed and mixed so that the mass ratio was 0: 100, 5:95, 10:90, 15:85, 50:50, 67:33, and 100: 0. Then, it heated and mixed to about 85 degreeC, and the transparent solution was obtained. The solution was then cooled at room temperature to obtain a solid dispersion. The melting point of each obtained solid dispersion was measured. The result is shown in FIG.

  As is apparent from FIG. 1, the eutectic point was considered to be observed when the proportion of fenofibrate in the solid dispersion was between 5% and 15%. Thus, it can be seen that the solid dispersions shown in Examples 1 and 6 above contain at least 35% more fenofibrate than the eutectic mixture.

Test example 2
The capsules obtained in Examples 1 to 7, the micronized fenofibrate preparation (Ripidil capsule 67) and the fenofibrate preparation (Ripunchle capsule 100) which were not micronized were used in the Japanese General Test Method Dissolution Test Method 2 According to the method (paddle method), 900 mL of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia Test Second Solution (pH 6.8) containing 1% polysorbate 80 was used as the test solution, and the elution rate was examined by rotating 50 times per minute. The results are shown in FIGS.

  As is apparent from FIG. 2, the elution rate in the capsule of Example 1 filled with solid dispersion particles having a mass ratio of fenofibrate and polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 6000 of 1: 1 is as follows. Compared to the fibrate formulation (Ripantule capsule 100). In addition, Examples 2 to 5 to which partially pregelatinized starch, D-mannitol, lactose, or crystalline cellulose were added had an improved dissolution rate compared to Example 1 in which these additives were not added. The elution pattern, especially the initial elution pattern, was excellent, and was almost the same as the elution pattern of the micronized fenofibrate preparation (Lipidil capsule 67).

  As is clear from FIG. 3, solid dispersion particles having a mass ratio of fenofibrate and polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 6000 of 2: 1 are mixed with crystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, and magnesium stearate and filled into capsules. The capsule of Example 7 was improved in dissolution as compared with the capsule of Example 6 in which only crystalline cellulose was mixed and filled into the capsule, and the dissolution pattern of the micronized fenofibrate preparation (Lipidil capsule 67) was improved. Approximate.

The graph which shows the result of having measured melting | fusing point of a fenofibrate and polyethyleneglycol mixture. The graph which shows the result of having measured the elution rate. The graph which shows the result of having measured the elution rate.

Claims (5)

  A solid dispersion prepared by melting and mixing fenofibrate with polyethylene glycol and then solidifying, wherein the ratio of fenofibrate to the solid dispersion is 50% by mass or more.   A capsule or tablet comprising the solid dispersion according to claim 1.   A capsule obtained by mixing crystalline cellulose with the solid dispersion according to claim 1 and filling the capsule.   A capsule comprising a solid dispersion according to claim 1 mixed with crystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate and filled into a capsule. A therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia comprising the solid dispersion according to claim 1 as an active ingredient.

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