Design of controlled release inert matrices of naltrexone hydrochloride based on percolation concepts.

The percolation theory is a statistical theory able to study chaotic or disordered systems that has been applied in the pharmaceutical field since 1987. Through the application of this theory, the design of controlled release inert matrices has been improved. The aim of the present paper is to estimate the percolation thresholds, the most important concept of the percolation theory, which characterise the release behaviour of controlled release inert matrices of naltrexone hydrochloride. Matrix tablets were prepared using naltrexone hydrochloride as a potent narcotic antagonist and Eudragit(R) RS-PM as matrix forming material in different ratios, keeping constant the drug and excipient particle sizes. In vitro release assays were carried out exposing only one side of the tablets to the dissolution medium. The drug percolation threshold was estimated using different methods. The method of Leuenberger and Bonny gives 31.11+/-7.95% v/v as the critical porosity, which corresponds to a percolation range from 12 to 20% (w/w) of drug content. The release profiles and the release kinetics are in agreement with this result. A change in the exponent k (from 0.29 to 0.57) has been found in this region. Using scanning electron microscopy, the percolation threshold has been observed in a higher concentration range (20-35% w/w). This fact can be attributed to the low accuracy of the visual methods, mainly due to the extrapolation from 2D to 3D systems. If a percolating cluster is observed in two dimensions, the percolation threshold of the 3D system will be already clearly exceeded. The excipient percolation threshold is estimated between 25.4 and 31.1% (v/v) based on the release profiles and the analysis of the release kinetics.