Compritol® 888 ATO: one excipient benefits all, from formulator to end-user

With a drug release governed by pure diffusion and a first order release kinetic, predictability and reproducibility of drug release is easily obtained with Compritol® 888 ATO sustained-release matrices. Being non-ionic and chemically inert, Compritol® 888 ATO is compatible with drugs and excipients of the formulation.
With water insoluble, non-digestible Compritol® 888 ATO, obtain sustained-release matrices that will not dissolve or erode, irrespective of the media (water, 0.1N HCl, pH 4.5 buffer and 40% ethanol solution) and will not be affected by enzymes and bile salts, offering exceptional robustness in physiological conditions.
With a high melting point, narrow melting range and rapid recrystallization behavior, Compritol® 888 ATO is suitable for cold processes (direct compression, wet granulation) and hot processes (melt extrusion, 3D printing, melt granulation, solid dispersion…)
Compritol® 888 ATO is being used to produce sustained-release tablets, mini-tablets, capsules, granules and multi-particulates.
Being insoluble in hydro-alcoholic media and solvents, Compritol® 888 ATO provides abuse-deterrent properties and reduces the risk of alcohol dose dumping.

Compritol® 888 ATO: a unique sustained-release agent
Getting started
Use the table below to determine your starting-point formulation
The aqueous solubility of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) determines the concentration
of Compritol® 888 ATO and the type of diluent to use in your formulation:
• The higher the drug aqueous solubility, the higher the Compritol® 888 ATO concentration
• Water soluble diluents speed-up drug release

Adjusting the drug release profile
Use one or more of the following tips to fine-tune the drug release profile until you reach your target

Dual sustained-release matrices with Compritol® 888 ATO and HPMC
Reduce the global sustained-release agent concentration
- In a single matrix, HPMC is frequently used at 30% to achieve sustained release.
- In a dual matrix, the ideal ratio is about 10% Compritol® 888 ATO and 15% HPMC.
Reduce the alcohol quantity used in wet granulation
- In a single HPMC matrix, 50% alcohol solution is necessary in wet granulation to prevent sticking.
- In a dual matrix, 20% alcohol is sufficient.
Reduce drug release variability
Addition of Compritol® 888 ATO reduces the inter-batch variability which can be observed with HPMC
Achieve high drug dose tablet by direct compression
High drug loading can be achieved with a dual matrix Compritol® 888 ATO/ HPMC in a direct compression process. The dissolution profile was comparable to a market reference (single HPMC matrix, wet granulation + direct compression).
Develop sustained-release formulations faster with technical support from Gattefossé
To help you develop sustained-release formulations with Compritol® 888 ATO, Gattefossé provides:
- Formulations with model drugs
- Complete formulation guidelines
- Case studies
- Generic drug dossiers
The experts of our Technical Centers of Excellence in France, India, China and the USA are at your service to provide technical support and formulation feasibility assessment.
Quality-by-Design
Gattefossé’s state of the art production process ensures high product reproducibility. Critical Material Attributes such as product composition, particle size and melting point and their impact on tablet properties have been evaluated.
See the full technical brochure on Sustained drug release with Compritol® 888 ATO here
(click the picture to download the brochure)
Source: Gattefossé, technical brochure Sustained drug release with Compritol® 888 ATO


















































