Multiple Unit Particle Systems (MUPS): Need of the Day

MUPS technology has been adopted by the pharmaceutical industry as an alternative to conventional technology. MUPS can be formulated into commonly used dosage forms like tablets and capsules, which makes them more economical and stable in terms of shelf life of the final dosage form. Generally, MUPS are divided into two types of systems one is comprised of coated pellets and the other one is with uncoated pellets. The coated pellets will be acting as a reservoir system and uncoated pellets follow a general matrix pattern. In both cases, excipients should be separated from systems and should not interfere with the functionality of particles. 

Types of MUPS Formulation:

A. MUPS with matrix pellets

B. MUPS with pellet coated.

The pellets have a spherical core that contains or is coated with the active ingredient and have one or more protective layers (cellulosic and acrylic polymers) to control drug release. Offering increased bioavailability and improved pharmacological properties, including sustained release, enteric-coated pellets containing different drugs, and subsequently tableted, can be used to protect the API from gastric media. Example, Enteric coated dosage form bypasses the stomach and releases the drug into the small intestine.

Advantages of enteric coated pellets in comparison with enteric coated tablets are.

• Pellets provide rapid onset of action and faster drug release due to the smaller size than tablets and
• Pellets exhibit less residence time of acid-labile drugs in the stomach compared to tablets. Dosage form coat can be damaged by longer resistance time in the stomach. 

Factors that impact design of MUPS:

Design of MUPS involves formulating pellets by different techniques and further compression of these pellets into rapidly disintegrating tablets; disintegrate rapidly in the oral cavity for the delivery of coated pellets into the gastrointestinal tract or at the site of release of the drug. That’s why MUPS is a new trend in formulation industry to deliver the drug of categories like Antacid, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) etc. In spite of the challenges like content uniformity of the compressed tablets, ability of the film to withstand compression force; MUPS occupy a prominent role in formulating drugs due to their improved patient compliance, process feasibility and therapeutic advantages.

Advantages of MUPS:

• Improve GIT (gastro-intestinal tract) absorption.
• Minimize local irritation.
• Increased bioavailability
• Offers high degree of flexibility.
• Reduces dose dumping.
• Reduces inter and intra subject variability.

Disadvantages of MUPS:

• The manufacturing of multiple unit dosage forms is more complicated and more expensive.
• The filling into gelatin capsules is difficult to accomplish, especially in the case where different subunits are involved.

Conclusion:

MUPS offer many advantages in terms of drug delivery and stability of dosage forms. Main constrains in formulation and process are to be balanced to get a desired release profile. Selection of polymers, plasticizer, and optimization of process conditions are crucial in the coating process. In case of compression of MUPS into tablet, the ratio of pellets and other excipients, incorporation of cushioning agents and compression force are the key factors to be focused. Selection of appropriate excipients and optimization of processing conditions is vital in the formulation of MUPS and a balance between all these factors could make MUPS a potential drug delivery option for a variety of molecules.

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About the Author:

Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh, M.Sc. (Gold Medalist), Ph.D. is the author and founder of “Pharma Solutions by Dr. Ajay”.

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