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Pharmaceutical Co-crystals – a review
* 1, 2 , 3
1  Assistant Professor, Noble Pharmacy College, Gujarat Technological University, India.
2  Ph.D Scholar, Atmiya Institute of Pharmacy, India.
3  Associate Professor, Atmiya Institute of Pharmacy, India.

Published: 06 November 2020 by MDPI in The 2nd International Online Conference on Crystals session Crystal Engineering
Abstract:

The design and synthesis of pharmaceutical co-crystals have received great interest in recent years. co-crystallization of drug substances offer a tremendous opportunity for the development of new drug products with superior physical and pharmacological properties such as solubility, stability, hygroscopicity, dissolution rates, and bioavailability. This short review summarizes this highly topical field, covering why the topic is of interest in pharmaceutical formulation, the definitions and practical scope of co-crystals, co-crystal preparation, and characterization, comparison of different (traditional and novel) methods for co-crystal formation, and implications for regulatory control and intellectual property protection. Traditionally, co-crystal can be prepared by solvent evaporation method, grinding, and slurry method, but, every method has limitations for certain conditions. The current trend for co-crystal formation uses sophisticated methods such as the hot-melt extru­sion method, spray drying method, supercritical fluid technology, and the newest, and laser irradiation method. The development of new method is not only to overcome the limitation of traditional co-crystallization methods but also to generate a simpler step and continuous process for the production of co-crystal products. This article gives a brief explanation of each method that can be used to generate pharmaceutical co-crystals.

Keywords: Pharmaceutical Co crystals; Co crystallization; Novel methods;Traditional methods
Comments on this paper
Changquan Calvin Sun
Other aspects of pharmaceutical cocrystals
Have you considered the possibility of improving mechanical properties of drugs by cocrystallization? Also, an emerging topic is spherical cocrystallization. We have worked on these topics. Hopefully, they are helpful to your worthy effort in summarizing the cocrystallization research.
Sheetal Buddhadev
Thanks for your suggestion Mr.Changquan Calvin Sun

We have already consider possibility of improving mechanical properties of drugs by cocrystallization.

The spherical crystallization is cost effective technique could be useful for direct compression of tablet due better flowability as compare to original pure amorphous drug.

As this technique crystallizes, aggregates and spheronizes at a single step consumes less time as compared to wet granulation technique.

Spherical crystals have a greater solubility in the aqueous solvents thereby increasing the bioavailability of the poorly soluble drugs specifically Biopharmaceutical Classification System class II drugs where the bioavailability is dissolution rate limited.

Therefore, if the technique is scaled up for commercial production of the APIs then definitely it will bring a great change in the current manufacturing methods.



 
 
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