Venlafaxine

A simple, specific, accurate and precise reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the estimation of Venlafaxine hydrochloride in pure and Pharmaceutical dosage form. Kromasil C18 column having 150 mm x 4.6 mm internal diameter, 5 µm particle sizes in isocratic mode with mobile phase containing mixture of methanol and water in the ratio of 65:35 v/v was used. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and effluents were monitored at 225 nm. The retention time for Venlafaxine was 2.424 min. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, limit of detection, limit of quantification and robustness. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were found 2.97µg/ml and 9.92 µg/ml respectively and recovery of Venlafaxine from tablet formulation was found 100.4 %. The proposed method was successfully applied for the quantitative determination of Venlafaxine in tablet dosage form.

The study aims at developing novel extended release pellets of venlafaxine. The main objective of the work was to develop robust extended release formulations of Venlafaxine (test formulation) for regulated markets having comparable in-vitro dissolution profile with Innovator product - Effexor® XR (Reference Product). Venlafaxine spheroids were made using extrusion spheronization technique. The release of the drug from the spheroids was controlled by applying a coating comprising ethyl cellulose as rate controlling polymer. The coated pellets were then encapsulated in the hard gelatin capsules. The in-vitro dissolution studies were conducted to evaluate the release of the drug venlafaxine from the coated spheroids contained in capsule at pH 6.8 using phosphate buffer. The in-vitro dissolution profile of the test compositions was compared with Reference Product Effexor XR. The results obtained showed that the test formulations had higher percentage release of venlafaxine in initial time period. Therefore, a better control on the release was desired. During the manufacturing of spheroids, it was observed that more fines were generated during the extrusion spheronization, which is not suitable for large scale production of the formulation. Accordingly batches were optimized using different types of binder and coating composition. Effect of the binder and percentage coating was studied. The drug release of venlafaxine using Povidone K30 as binder, Ethyl cellulose and Acryl-EZE MP 93018508 white as release control polymers was compared with innovator’s drug release and was found to be equivalent. From the results, it was concluded that use Povidone K30 as binder during extrusion spheronization process results on generation of less fines, thus increases the yield of the product. Also, the formulation containing dual coating of Ethyl cellulose and Acryl-EZE MP 93018508 on the spheroids containing Povidone K30 as binder showed the dissolution profile similar to that of the Reference Product Effexor XR.

In this paper an attempt is made to prepare IPN beads of the drug by taking alginate solution in combination with a polymer (PVA/Kennel powder /Guar gum). The prepared copolymer solution is dropped in to 2% CaCl2. The beads are hardened by cross linking with a common cross-linking agent, glutaraldehyde. The beads are characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally quality control tests such as swelling index, bead water uptake, entrapment efficiency and drug release studies are performed. The extent of cross-linking is studied in terms of the size and release characteristics of the beads. Most of the formulations indicated erosion based release pattern. The size of the beads ranged from 250 to 400 µm. The entrapment efficiency of the formulation ranged from 73.6% to 94.50%.  

Depression is a complex but treatable disorder if diagnosed appropriately. However, despite of vast research and the advances in the understanding of molecular basis of this disorder and the vast range of medication, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy, very safe and effective drug  to treat this disease is being sought. The present study was undertaken to investigate effect of aqueous suspension of Ferula foetida on antidepressant activity of venlafaxine in rodants. First observations were taken for antidepressant activity of venlafaxine by using forced swimming test and tail suspension test model in mice by using the dose of 4mg/kg i.p. A combination of Ferula foetida suspension and venlafaxine were used in mice with the same dose and observations were taken.  In forced swim test and in tail suspension test it showed the potentiation of effect. Combination also increased the locomotor activity. Ferula foetida thus shows the antidepressant activity which potentiates the effect of venlafaxine in mice, thus supporting the folk medicinal use of this plant in nervous disorders.