The Innovative Use of Micronized Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose as a Pore Former in Dry Powder Coatings of Ethylcellulose Barrier Membrane Coatings on Multi-Particulates
Ethylcellulose is commonly used throughout the pharmaceutical industry for barrier membrane coatings for sustained drug release. In many formulations that utilize ethylcellulose coatings, soluble pore formers are used to modify and speed up the release of API from the coated material. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a common pore former in these formulations that is easily blended into traditional solution preparations of ethylcellulose and applied at precise ratios to produce predictable, repeatable drug release. The recent development of a novel ethylcellulose grade for use in dry powder coatings of multiparticulates has offered the pharmaceutical industry a vastly improved method for applying barrier membrane coatings in a safe, fast and efficient process.