Introducing Freshmen to Drug Delivery

Stephanie Farrell and Robert P. HeskethChemical Engineering

Rowan University

ASEE Annual Conference, June 2000

Drug Delivery

Exciting multidisciplinary field• Medicine, pharmaceutical sciences,

chemistry, chemical engineering What role do chemical engineers

play?

Introduction

This experiment was used in Freshman Clinic

• Required of all freshmen• 1 3-week module in each discipline• Common thread: measurements

Graduate / Senior Elective• Apply concepts of drug delivery and

model development

Overview

Introduction to drug formulations Experiment Measurements Data analysis

Drug Delivery

Rate Duration Location, location, location

Rate and Duration of Release

Contac 12 hr cold capsules• membrane system

• oral osmotic

Location Location Location

Enteric-coated aspirin

Stomach

pH 2 HClIntestine

pH 8 NaOH

Lozenge Formulations

Topical anaesthetics

Pain relief Antifungal agents CNS depressants

Sore throat Cancer Aids Depression Parkinsonism

Experiment

Cherry Cough Drop

t=0

Menthol (7.6 mg) + red dyeMd

mass of dissolved

drugM0

initial mass7.6 mg M

mass remaining

Measurement

Spectrophotometer

Samples

Concentration

Data Analysis

Model:• M0=7.6 mg

• Md from measurement

• Need to determine

td eMM 10

Does It Make Sense?

What does the model tell us?

td eMM 10

Md(t = 0) = 0 Md(t = ) = M0 = 7.6 mg

Parameter Evaluation

y = -0.0938x

R2 = 0.9952

-3

-2.5

-2

-1.5

-1

-0.5

0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

time (min)ln

{(M

0-M

d)/

M0}

Linear form

Plot with Excel Use Trendline Slope =

tM

MM d

0

0ln

Data Representation

Use model to calculate Md

Compare with Experimental Data

Conclusion

Introduction to drug delivery Chemical engineering principles Simple, visual experiment Concentration measurement Excel, data analysis, parameter

evaluation Compare data with model

Feedback

“I enjoyed last night's class immensely. It was a practical approach to tying in many of the concepts we've been learning, with a twist of fun. Cool.”

– James Downing, MSE candidate