Multilayer laminar co-extrudate as a novel controlled release dosage form.

Design of a new dosage form manufactured by laminar extrusion for oral administration of drugs. Different mixtures of materials (microcrystalline cellulose [MCC], hydroxypropyl methylcellulose [HPMC], lactose [LAC], dicalcium phosphate [DCP], coumarin [COU], propranolol hydrochloride [PRO], water [W]) were prepared prior to laminar extrusion. Mono, bi and tri layer extrudates were manufactured and evaluated for extrudability, drying, water uptake and swelling ability and in vitro characterization of the drug release. Good quality extrudates were manufactured with higher HPMC molecular weight and fraction in formulation at an extrusion rate of 400 mm/min and slow drying (forced air stream), otherwise surface roughness, thickness in-homogeneity, bending and shark skin were present in the extrudates. Swelling of extrudates was dependent on HPMC fraction and molecular weight (60% up to 90% weight gain for low and high polymer chains, respectively) and the presence of either MCC or DCP. The release of drug was dependent on its solubility (PRO>COU), the fraction of HPMC (low>high fractions), the type of diluent (DCP>MCC) and number of layers (1>2>3 layers). By designing the number and type of layers, dosage forms with well-defined release-kinetics can be tailored. The study has shown the ability of the technology of extrusion to manufacture a controlled release dosage form in a continuous fashion.