PEG & Pharmaceutical Preparation Solutions

PEG is an important excipient in the pharmaceutical field and has been used as pharmaceutical excipients for hundreds of years. The most prominent features of PEG are its wide compatibility with various solvents, wide viscosity range, moisture retention, cohesiveness and thermal stability. In addition, PEG has many advantages such as low toxicity, non-coagulation and biocompatibility, which can be quickly excreted by the body without any toxic side effects. Therefore, PEG is widely used in various dosage forms in the field of medicine, such as ointment, suppository matrix, tablets, pills carrier. The BOC Sciences team has the most qualified and talented synthetic and medicinal chemists dedicated to providing support services for homogeneous PEGylated drugs of specific molecular weight.

Our PEG Solutions for Pharmaceutical Preparation

At BOC Sciences, our researchers can help you be more successful by providing drug formulation development solutions. We have professionals who listen carefully to your needs and can provide you with full support before, during and after your experiment.

Drug Carriers

Because PEG is non-toxic, no teratogenic, carcinogenic and gene mutation and other side effects. It can increase the dissolution rate of some drugs and improve the bioavailability of drugs. Therefore, PEG is one of the most commonly used water-soluble carriers. For example, high molecular weight PEG is a highly hydrophilic polymer material that can be used as a framework material to control the drug release rate. In addition, PEG is a common water-soluble carrier material that can be used to increase the dissolution rate of drugs.

• Ointment base
• Solid dispersion materials
• Capsule wall materials
• Skeleton materials

Drug Solvents

In order to increase the solubility of poorly soluble drugs, mixed solvents consisting of ethanol, glycerin, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, PEG and water are often used. Among them, PEG 200, PEG 300, PEG 400, and PEG 600 are colorless, slightly odorous viscous liquids with stable chemical properties, safety and low toxicity, so they are often used as solvents for drugs.

• Injection
• Soft capsule
• Eye drops

Lubricants and Adhesives

In recent years, PEG has been widely used in tablets, which can be used as lubricants and binders in drugs. PEG 4000 and PEG 6000 are typical representatives of water-soluble lubricants in tablets. In the tablet formulation, an appropriate amount of PEG can be directly added for granulation, or it can be formulated into alcohol solution, suspension or emulsion for granulation. In addition, the disintegration and dissolution of PEG-prepared tablets are not affected, which can improve the solubility of the main drug in the stomach, and finally help to increase the bioavailability.

Stabilizer

Currently, the main problem of protein-based pharmaceutical preparations is poor drug stability. For protein drugs in liquid dosage form, their properties can be changed to increase stability by adding excipients (stabilizers), such as PEG, sugars, salts, surfactants, etc. High concentrations of PEG are often used as cryoprotectants and precipitation/crystallization agents for proteins, which can interact with the hydrophobic chains of proteins. Studies have shown that PEGs with different molecular weights have different effects, such as PEG 400, PEG 600 and PEG 1000 can stabilize lysozyme; PEG 4000 can inhibit the thermal aggregation of low molecular weight urokinase.

Finishing Materials

The PEG modified material is a pH-neutral, non-toxic, water-soluble polymer with high hydrophilicity, good biocompatibility and blood compatibility. In addition, PEG-modified materials are non-immunogenic. Therefore, the use of PEG for structural modification can improve the biodistribution and metabolism of drugs and increase the oral bioavailability. For example, the introduction of hydrophilic PEG on the surface of liposome membrane can form a hydration film on the surface of liposome. The hydration membrane covers the hydrophobic binding sites on the surface of liposomes and prevents plasma from approaching liposomes, thereby reducing the recognition and uptake of liposomes by the reticuloendothelial system and prolonging the blood circulation time of liposomes.

• Modification-Liposome
• Modification-Emulsion
• Modification-Nanoparticles
• Modification-Microspheres
• Modification-Peptide Drugs
• Modification-Protein Drugs

Plasticizers and Porogens

Since PEG is a hydrophilic polymer substance, it can be used as a plasticizer to change the physical and mechanical properties of the polymer, resulting in more flexibility and plasticity. For example, in order to make the gelatin microcapsules have good plasticity, non-adhesion and dispersibility, plasticizers such as polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, glycerin, etc. can be added. In addition, PEG is a water-miscible polymer molecule that can be used as a porogen for membrane-controlled slow-release drugs. Porogens such as PEG can quickly dissolve in the medium to form larger pores. With the increase of pores, the external solvent can easily diffuse through the controlled-release membrane, thereby accelerating the drug release.

Penetration Enhancer

Penetration enhancers refer to chemical substances that can reversibly change the barrier function of the stratum corneum of the skin without damaging any active cells. An ideal penetration enhancer should be non-pharmacologically active, non-toxic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and have good compatibility with drugs, substrates, and skin. Studies have shown that the role of PEG in transdermal preparations is no less than that of oleic acid, so PEG can be used in combination with penetration enhancers such as oleic acid, azone, and propylene glycol.

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

Since PEG is not easily absorbed by the intestine and has low toxicity, powders made of PEG 3350 and PEG 4000 have been widely used in European and American markets. PEG 3350 and 4000 are linear long-chain polymers rich in a large number of hydroxyl groups, which can interact with hydrogen bonds to fix water molecules and keep water in the colon, thereby improving constipation symptoms.

Our PEG Solution Service Workflow

What are the Benefits of PEG in Pharmaceutical Formulations?

• Increasing stability and reducing enzymatic degradation
• Improving pharmacokinetic properties, such as increasing plasma half-life and reducing maximum plasma concentration
• Reducing immunogenicity and antigenicity
• Reducing toxicity and improving activity in vivo
• Improving drug distribution in vivo and enhancing targeting
• Reducing medication frequency and improving patient compliance

If you are interested in our PEG & pharmaceutical preparation solutions, please contact us for more information.