This thesis aimed to investigate and document the potential of applying ceramics in two specific drug delivery applications: tamper-resistant opioid formulations and transdermal enhancement protrusions. Geopolymers were developed into the matrix for a tamper-resistant formulation, aiming to protect drug substances from non-medical abuse. The synthesis conditions and excipients composition of the geopolymer-based formulation were modified in this work to facilitate a stable and extended drug delivery. Results showed that 37ºC 100% humidity for 48 hours were applicable conditions to obtain geopolymer with suitable mechanical strength and porosity. Moreover, it was found that the integration of poly(methyl acrylate) into the geopolymer-based formulation could reduce the drug release at low pH and, meanwhile, maintain the mechanical strength. Therefore, the geopolymer-based drug formulations concluded from these studies were applied in oral and transdermal delivery systems. Evidence of the tamper-resistance of geopolymer-based oral and transdermal formulations was documented and compared to the corresponding commercial opioid formulations. The results provided experimental support for the positive effects of geopolymers as drug carriers for the tamper-resistance of oral and transdermal delivery systems. Self-setting bioceramics, calcium phosphate and calcium sulfate were fabricated into transdermal enhancement protrusions in this work for the first time. Results showed that, under mild conditions, both bioceramics could form pyramid-shaped needles in the micron size. The drug release from these needles could be controlled by the bulk surface area, porosity and degradation of the bioceramics. An in vitro insertion test showed that the bioceramic microneedles had enough mechanical strength to insert into skin. Further optimization on the geometry of needles and the substrate material was also performed. The higher aspect-ratio needles with a flexible and self-swellable substrate could release most of the drug content within 4 hours and could penetrate through the stratum corneum by manual insertion. This study explored the potential application of bioceramics in transdermal enhancement protrusions and showed promising indication of their future developments.

Meloksikamas, (4-hidroksi-2-metil-N-(5-metil-2-tiazolil)-2H-1,2-benzotiazin-3-karboksamid-1,1-dioksidas), yra nesteroidinis vaistas nuo uždegimo (NVNU), selektyvus ciklooksigenazės-II (COX-II) inhibitorius ir naudojamas reumatoidiniam artritui, osteoartritui ir kitoms sąnarių ligoms gydyti. Jis yra žymiai efektyvesnis ir sukelia mažiau šalutinių poveikių virškinamąjam traktui lyginant su kitais tradiciniais nesteroidiniais vaistais nuo uždegimo (NVNU). Gydomoji meloksikamo paros dozė (15 mg) yra viena mažiausių lyginant su kitais tradiciniais nesteroidiniais vaistais nuo uždegimo (NVNU). Europoje ir Lietuvoje yra registruotos tik peroralinės ir parenteralinės meloksikamo vaistų formos. Todėl siekiama sukurti transdermalines meloksikamo vaistų formas. Šio darbo tikslas – sukurti meloksikamo išsiskyrimo iš tirpalų pro dializės membraną in vitro metodą ir įvertinti išsiskyrusio meloksikamo kiekį. Tyrimo metu buvo naudojamas 1 proc. meloksikamo propileno glikolio tirpalas. Dializės membrana - regeneruotos celiuliozės. Akceptorinis tirpalas – buferinis tirpalas, kurio pH reikšmė 8,5. Palaikoma temperatūra - 37°C. Bandiniai buvo imami po 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 ir 300 minučių. Išsiskyręs meloksikamo kiekis iš bandinių kiekybiškai buvo vertinamas efektyviosios skysčių chromatografijos (HPLC) metodu. Didžiausias meloksikamo srautas (346, 963 µg/cm²/h) buvo po 15 minučių nuo eksperimento pradžios. Vėliau meloksikamo srautas mažėjo. Mažiausias meloksikamo srautas (67,401 µg/cm²/h)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Meloxicam, (4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(5-methyl-2-thiazolyl)-2H-1, 2-benzothiazine-3-carbox-amide-1, 1-dioxide), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and selective cyclooxygenase-II (COX-II) inhibitor, is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoartritis and other joint diseases. It has comparable efficiency and greater gastric tolerability in comparison to conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The efficiency dose of meloxicam (15 mg/day) is one of the lowest in the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). There are registered only oral and parenteral formulations of meloxicam in Europe and Lithuania. So it is strive to create transdermal formulations of meloxicam. The aim of the present work was to develop in vitro meloxicam release through dialysis membrane method and measure the amount of released meloxicam. On release of meloxicam from 1 % meloxicam propylene glycol solution was used regenerated cellulose dialysis membrane. As acceptor fluid was used buffer pH 8,5. Temperature was controlled at 37°C. Samples 1 ml were withdrawn at intervals of 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 300 min. The quantitative determination of meloxicam in samples was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The maximum flux of meloxicam (346,963 µg/cm²/h) was after 15 min from the beginning of the experiment. Later on meloxicam flux was on the decrease. The minimum flux of meloxicam (67,401 µg/cm²/h) was after 300 min from the beginning of... [to full text]