Hot melt coating
Hot melt coating is a process in which molten lipid excipient is sprayed on to solid particles in a fluid bed coater. The lipid solidifies upon cooling and coats the particles with a thin, homogeneous film. This process can be used for taste masking, protection of sensitive APIs, or modification of drug release profiles.
Advantages of lipid excipients in hot melt coating:
- solvent-free process
- ideal for hygroscopic APIs
- possible to coat pure API particles
- narrow melting/crystallization range to prevent particle agglomeration
- quick process—no evaporation or downstream curing
- easy equipment cleaning
Range of excipients for hot melt coating:
Gattefossé carried out an in vivo study in human subjects comparing the bioavailability of lipid-coated (Precirol® ATO 5) and uncoated acetaminophen. The results showed that the lipid coating has no impact on bioavailability.
Contact Gattefossé to get the study.
Related content
Excipients for taste masking and API protection
Some APIs present poor organoleptic properties; therefore, taste or odor need to be masked. Others are sensitive to water, oxidation, or temperature and need to be protected to maintain stability. Certain lipid excipients are used in melt processes to effectively protect the API from degradation or mask taste and odor.
