1. Multi Unit Pellet System (MUPS)
Presented by-
Riteksha Patel
M. Pharma (Pharmaceutics) SCOPE
2. Introduction
• The tablets which are prepared by compaction of
modified release coated pellets are called as MUPS
(multi unit pellet system) tablets.
• Pellets are produced for the purpose of oral controlled-
release dosage form having gastro resistant or sustained-
release properties.
• For such purposes, coated pellets are administered in the
form of MUPS tablets. The coating material used is
either sustained release or enteric release.
• Different release profile can be achieved at same time at
same site in GIT.
3. Advantages
• They provide different release profile at the same or
different sites in GIT.
• Local irritation of drug can be avoided.
• Incompatible bioactive agents can be delivered
simultaneously.
• Bitter taste of drug can be masked.
• Sustained release, enteric release dosage form can be
formulated
• Greater bioavailability & uniform drug absorption
• Dose dumping and the incomplete drug release is avoided.
• Better patient compliance.
• MUPS have lesser tendency of adhering to esophagus
during swallowing.
• Reduction in inter- & intra-subject variability in drug
absorption.
4. Method of Preparation
• Preheating of core particle was done.
• The drug solution was loaded over core particles &
dried.
• The drug loaded pellets was sifted through the sieve.
• The enteric, sustained, or controlled release polymer
was dissolved in a solvent to prepare a coating
solution.
• This solution was sprayed over drug loaded pellets &
dried.
• This coated pellets was then compressed along with
other excipients to prepare the MUPS tablet.
5.
6. Types of MUPS Formulation
A) MUPS with matrix pellets
B) MUPS with pellets coated
7. . Factors Influencing Design of MUPS
Process Variables
Equipment Variables
Core Pellets
Cushioning Excipients
Coating
Type & Composition
Size & Shape
Porosity & Elasticity
Polymer type
Membrane Thickness
Plasticizer type & Amount
Presence of Pigments
Nature
Size
Amount
Compression Force
Compression Speed
Tablet Machine Design
Tooling Design
Powder Feeder Design
9. Pelletization
• Preparation of pellets is called pelletization.
• Pellets can be defined as small, free flowing, spherical or
semi-spherical solid, units, size ranges from 0.5 mm to 1.5
mm, and intended usually for oral administration,
manufactured by the agglomerates of fine powders or
granules of bulk drugs and excipients using appropriate
processing equipment.
• Pellets can be prepared by many methods, Agitation,
compaction, layering, globulation & other new techniques.
Significance
• Pellets ensure improved flow properties, and flexibility in
formulation development and manufacture.
10. • Larger surface area of pellets enables better distribution.
• Improved appearance of the products.
• Varied applications are possible in the pellet form. E.g.:
delayed release.
• Pellets are less susceptible to dose dumping.
• Pellets reduce the variation in gastric emptying rate and
transit time.
• Pellets disperse freely in G.I.T. and invariably maximize
drug absorption and also reduce peak plasma fluctuation.
12. Agitation:
• In this method finely divided particles are converted to
spherical pellets by continuous rolling or tumbling motion
using a rotating drum, pan or disc. The liquid may be added
prior to or during the agitation stage.
Compaction:
• Particles or granules are forced together by mechanical force to
generate pellets. Reduction in volume is a common feature of
this process.
1. Compression:
• In this process mixtures of active ingredients and excipients
are compacted under pressure to generate pellets of defined
shape and size. During compression at high pressure, particles
of a packed mass are forced against each other so that elastic
and plastic deformation can take place and create strong
interparticle contact.
13. 2. Extrusion & Spheronization:
• In this process, the powder is formed into a wet mass, which
is forced through restricted area (extrusion) to form strands of
extrudate that are broken into short lengths and rounded by
placement on a rotating plate with in a cylinder. The resulting
spherical granules or pellets are of uniform shape, size and
density.
Layering:
1. Powder layering:
• Powder layering involves the deposition of successive layers
of dry powder of drug and/or excipients on preformed nuclei
or cores with the help of a binding liquid.
2. Solution/suspension layering:
• Solution and suspension layering involve the deposition of
successive layers of solution and suspension, respectively, on
the starter seeds that are inert materials or crystals or
granules.
15. Globulation:
1. Spray drying:
• During spray drying, drug entities in solution or in
suspension form are sprayed, with or without excipients,
into a hot-air stream to generate dry and highly spherical
particles.
2. Spray congealing:
• In spray congealing process a drug is allowed to melt,
disperse or dissolve in hot melts of gums, waxes, fatty
acids, etc. and is sprayed into an air chamber where the
temperature is below the melting points of the
formulation components, to provide, under appropriate
processing conditions, spherical congealed pellets.
16. New Techniques:
1. Cryopelletization:
• In cryopelletization droplets of a liquid formulation are
converted into solid spherical particles or pellets by
employing liquid nitrogen as the fixing medium.
• Drug-loaded pellets are produced by allowing droplets
of a solution or suspension to come in contact with
liquid nitrogen at -1600C.
2. Melt Spheronization:
• In melt spheronization, drug substance and excipients
are converted into a molten or semi-molten state and
subsequently shaped using appropriate equipment to
provide solid spheres or pellets.
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