Formulation and Manufacture of Aerosols involve selecting suitable propellants, solvents, and active ingredients for stability and delivery.
Formulation and Manufacture of Aerosols also include filling, sealing, and quality control for efficient drug release.
The formulation of aerosols requires careful selection and combination of ingredients to achieve desired performance.
Formulation Components:
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API): Must be stable and uniformly dispersed or dissolved.
Propellant: As discussed, it drives the delivery mechanism and must be chosen based on its compatibility.
Co-solvents: Sometimes used to aid solubility or improve spray characteristics (e.g., ethanol).
Surfactants/Dispersants: Ensure proper dispersion in suspension aerosols and prevent aggregation.
Stabilizers and Antioxidants: Prevent degradation of sensitive APIs or excipients.
Manufacturing Process:
Batch Preparation: The API is combined with excipients under controlled conditions. For solutions, complete dissolution is necessary; for suspensions, uniform dispersion is critical.
Filling Process: The formulation is filled into pre-sterilized, pressurized containers using automated, high-precision filling lines designed to prevent air inclusion and contamination.
Addition of Propellant: The propellant is either introduced in bulk under pressure (in canister-based systems) or loaded separately in dual-chamber systems.
Crimping/Sealing: A valve is affixed to the container, and the system is sealed to maintain internal pressure and sterility.
Quality Assurance: In-process controls and final product testing (such as weight, fill volume, and dose uniformity) are essential.
Process Considerations for Formulation and Manufacture of Aerosols:
Aseptic Processing: In many cases, especially for parenteral formulations, an aseptic environment is required.
Environmental Controls: Temperature, humidity, and particulate matter must be controlled during manufacturing.
Automation and Validation: The use of automated filling and sealing ensures uniformity and reproducibility.