The pharmaceutical development of a fixed combination anti-tuberculosis dosage form.

Abstract

This project is based on the assumption that there is scope for a more varied methodological approach in the in-service training of teachers and that, consultation with mature learners might be used to advantage.

Durin g this study, an anti-tuberculosis extem poraneous pow der for suspension was optim ized in order to formulate a fixed com bination of rifam picin, isoniazid, pyrazinam ide and ethambutol hydrochloride as a powder to be reconstituted with water by the patient prior to adm inistration. Once an effective manufacturing m ethod was established, different suspending agents were evaluated by their influence on pow der flow properties and sedim entation volume on the pow der blends. Sodium starch glycollate was chosen as the suspending agent of choice because as the concentration o f sodium starch glycollate was increased, the pow der flow properties o f the pow der blends im proved. The sedimentation volum e also increased with the increasing concentration o f sodium starch glycollate in the powder blends. A suitable flavour and colour w as also determ ined to increase the acceptability of the preparation to the patient. Liquorice flavour was the most acceptable in term s of colour and flavour. An evaluation of the dissolution characteristics of the extemporaneous powder for suspension was also conducted in com parison to the dissolution profiles from com mercially available tablet dosage forms. The dissolution rates from the powder for suspension for rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinam ide was faster than from the commercially available tablet dosage form , while the dissolution rate of ethambutol HC1 from the powder closely resembles the dissolution profile from the Rolab-Ethambutol H O * tablet dosage form.

Therefore, a fixed com bination pow der for suspension was achieved and with its ease of adm inistration w ould increase the com pliance am ongst tuberculosis patients, and increase therapeutic outcomes.