DRUGCOAT – Excellence in Pharma Polymer by Vikram Thermo
Vikram Thermo (India) Limited, was established in the year 1984, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat for manufacturing Di Phenyl Oxide in the name of Vikram Enterprise Private Limited, a pioneer in the manufacturing of DPO. Later on company also entered into the business of developing pharma polymer products – Acrylic polymers for various applications in pharmaceutical coating. Over the years company has developed full range of polymers in Methacrylic acid family for different applications such as enteric, delayed release, sustained release, taste masking etc. under the brand name DRUGCOAT.
Most of these coating polymers were developed through constant research & development work in company’s R&D centre and today company claims it’s products to be of world class quality conforming to highest standard technical specifications as prescribed in various monographs. Company has a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility certified with International EXCiIPACT GMP certificate. ‘VTIL’ today is proud of it’s full range of products and claimed to be the largest producer in this class of pharma polymers in India. It has acquired a clear leadership position in the industry.
DRUGCOAT
Coating in oral solid dosage form is now very commonly used in pharmaceutical industry. However, coating as such has its beginning with bitter taste masking of medicines in good old days with the help, of sugar coating. This was very popular in Nutraceuticals & Herbal medicines. Later on film coating concept came first time in early 1950’s courtesy Dr. Wurster under who’s name air suspension coating was patented. Over the years, there have been several improvements in both the coating technologies as well as the coating material, which has brought the concept of functional coating as an important field in the pharmaceutical industry. Ultimately, convenience, efficacy, safe drug delivery and economy of entire coating system are the four major criteria that were the Quiding factors in evolving ideal drug delivery system or a Novel Drug Delivery System i.e. NDDS. This is possible only with the help of suitable choice of Acrylate polymers. Thus it is obvious that our DRUGCOAT polymer range of products have excellent potential as versatile & unique in different application in NDDS including customized and newer application. Therefore, pharma industry has now started looking for newer coating materials and is in a process of shifting from conventional coating materials to NEXTGEN polymeri.e. Methacrylic acid copolymers
TYPES/SERIES
The best range of methacrylate co-polymer for enteric coating, protective coating, taste masking, and sustained release formulations are offered by Vikram Thermo (India) Limited under the brand name DRUGCOAT®.
DRUGCOAT L & S Series
ENTERIC COATING FORMULATION
- DRUGCOAT L 30D
- DRUGCOAT L 100-55
- DRUGCOAT L 100-55D
- DRUGCOAT L 100
- DRUGCOAT L 12.5
- DRUGCOAT S 100
- DRUGCOAT S 12.5
- DRUGCOAT FS 30D
DRUGCOAT E Series
TASTE MASKING AND PROTECTIVE COATING
- DRUGCOAT E 100
- DRUGCOAT E PO
- DRUGCOAT E 12.5
DRUGCOAT RL/RS & NE Series
SUSTAINED RELEASE FORMULATION
- DRUGCOAT RL 100
- DRUGCOAT RL PO
- DRUGCOAT RL 12.5
- DRUGCOAT RS 100
- DRUGCOAT RS PO
- DRUGCOAT RS 12.5
- DRUGCOAT NE 30D
ENTERIC FORMULATION
Many API undergo degradation in hostile acidic environment of stomach. Many API ifritate the gentle gastric mucosa. This irritation im severe cases can lead to permanent damage to gastric mucosa causing peptic ulcer. In either case, it is essential to prevent the release of API in stomach and this can be achieved by DRUGCOAT L and S series
polymers. These polymers can additionally be used to deliver API to a specific site in the GI tract. This results in site specific targeted drug delivery.
Why DRUGCOAT L and S Series?
- For pH-dependent drug release
- For Protection of API from gastric fluid
- For Protection of gastric mucosa from API
- For GI and colon targeting
- To insulate hygroscopic cores
- To Increase storage stability
- Better stability compared to phthalate group coating agent
- For Enteric coating of API formulation like Diclofenac Sodium, Ketoprofen, Indomethacin, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Rebeprazole, Bisacodyl, Aspirin, Sodium valporate
ADDITIVES
Plasticizer
It is recommended to add 10-20% plasticizer on dry polymer substance into the DRUGCOAT L and S
Series Solution or Dispersion, to obtain films adequate flexibility.
Glidant
Glidants like Talc, Micronized amorphous silica and Glycerol Monostearate facilitates spray application to the
cores.
Pigments
Opaque white or colored coating can be obtained by adding pigments like Iron Oxide and Lakes. Solvents For Non Aqueous Base Isopropyl alcohol and acetone, containing small amount of water
PACKAGING:
Aqueous Dispersion: 60 kg net in HDPE carboy.
Powder/ Granules: 10 kg net in paper fiber drum with polyethylene lining.
Organic Solution: 25kg net in DRUM.
STORAGE:
Store at controlled room temperature. (USP, General Monograph)
Why DRUGCOAT E Series, RL/RS & NE Series?
Read more in the DRUGCOAT brochure here or below.
TASTE MASKING & PROTECTIVE FORMULATION
Environment is seldom friendly to many APIs. Environmental factors such as light, humidity and air have deleterious effect on stability of many such APIs. The shelf life of these APIs can be enhanced by protecting them agains these environmental factors.
DRUGCOAT polymers belonging to E series can be of vital importance in protecting against environmental factors. By using DRUGCOAT E series we can improve patient compliance by taste and odor masking of unpleasant APIs.
SUSTAIN RELEASE FORMULATION
Understanding of human physiology and pathophysiology of various diseases have paved a way for development delivery system. It is now understood that the drug need not to be released immediately after consumption. The sustain drug release can control the disease progression effectively.
DRUGCOAT polymers belonging to RL, RS and E series can be used for time controlled drug delivery systems.
Research – Investigative activities that a business chooses to conduct with the intention of making a discovery that can either lead to the development of new products or processes, or to Improvement of existing products or processes. Research and development is one of the means by which business can experience future growth through developing new products or processes to Improve or expand their operations.
See the full leaflet on DRUGCOAT here:
(click the picture to download the leaflet)
Source: Vikram Thermo leaflet “DRUGCOAT“