Common drug propellants undergo insignificant metabolism by body, says Metrics scientist at AAPS

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Nov. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- Two propellants commonly used in prescription inhalers undergo very little metabolism in biological systems – and that’s good, according to a formulation development scientist at Metrics Contract Services.

Dr. Thomas B. “Brad” Gold, vice president of pharmaceutical development, shared his findings at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists annual meeting in his poster presentation, “Determination of Trifluoroacetic Acid in Human Urine Using ¹⁹F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance after Inhalation of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane or Dichlorodifluoromethane."

Gold’s study examined asthmatic patients dosed with metered-dose inhalers containing either 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or dichloromethane to determine whether the propellants’ metabolites were being excreted in urine. Excretion would have demonstrated that the propellants were being absorbed, distributed and metabolized by the patients’ bodies before being eliminated.

“What we demonstrated was that these compounds were not being metabolized by the body – and that’s a good thing, because it shows that these are safe inhalants to use in metered drug products,” Gold explained. “As an industry, we want to ensure that propellants are safe to use by patients.”

Both 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and dichlorodifluoromethane are gases the pharmaceutical industry uses in the manufacturing of metered dose inhalants, such as bronchodilators for patients with asthma. Gold said he anticipates that the pharmaceutical industry will discover within the next 10 years even better ways of delivering inhaled drug products for the benefit of patients.

About Metrics Contract Services

Metrics Contract Services is a full-service pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organization serving clients worldwide. We deliver proven scientific and operational excellence for solid oral dosage forms.

Our areas of expertise include quality formulation development; first-time-in-man formulations; Phase I-III clinical trial materials manufacturing; and analytical method development and validation services leading to commercial scale manufacturing. Our technical capabilities include highly potent, cytotoxic and unstable compounds; DEA Schedule II-V controlled substances; and products with poor bioequivalence, for which we offer an impressive propriety portfolio of advanced delivery methods.

Located in Greenville, N.C., Metrics Contract Services is a proud member of the Mayne Pharma family. Learn more online.

About Mayne Pharma

Mayne Pharma is a publicly traded specialty pharmaceutical company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange . The company develops and manufactures branded and generic product globally – either directly or through distribution partners – while applying its drug-delivery expertise for contract development and manufacturing services.

Mayne Pharma has a 30-year track record of innovation and success in developing new oral drug delivery systems, and these technologies have been successfully commercialized in numerous products that have been marketed around the world. Mayne Pharma has drug development and manufacturing facilities in Salisbury, Australia, with expertise in formulating complex oral dose forms, including controlled substances, modified release products and inherently unstable compounds.