Characterization and Pharmacokinetics of Rifampicin Laden Carboxymethylcellulose Acetate Butyrate Particles

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), is a common and potentially lethal infectious human disease. Rifampicin is a front line anti-tuberculosis drug usually prescribed in combination with isoniazid, pyrazinamide and streptomycin for a period of six to seven months. When given orally for the treatment of MTB, rifampicin exhibits low bioavailability. Recent attempts to increase bioavailability and decrease dosage of anti-tuberculosis drugs have focused on creating polymer coated rifampicin nanoparticles. The research effort presented in this thesis evaluates the formation, characterization and relative bioavailability of rifampicin loaded carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate (CMCAB) particles using two different formulation techniques. Multi inlet vortex mixer (MIVM) and manual spray drying techniques were used to form the rifampicin containing CMCAB particles. Characterization studies and analyses of particles revealed differences in particle sizes, shapes and drug loading between the different particle formulation techniques. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in BALB/c mice indicate that a single dose of rifampicin laden CMCAB spray dried particle formulations are able to improve pharmacokinetic parameters including relative bioavailability of rifampicin compared to that of the free drug form at the same concentration.