A Carbomer-Based Composition for Deterring Opioid Drugs Abuse

Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida, USA

Objectives. Develop and evaluate a carbomer-based composition for deterring drug abuse. Background. Most of the developed abuse-deterrent products utilize PEO as a deterring agent. Abusers have found atypical methods to manipulate the PEO-based formulations. In this study, we have developed a new approach for deterring drug abuse. Compositions containing carbomer interpolymer type B (CITB) deters the intravenous drug abuse by forming insoluble complexes with the opioid drugs, reducing the amount of the free drug that could be extracted in solutions for subsequent injection. Methods. Dextromethorphan HBr (25 mg) and CITB (200 mg) were vortexed (30 sec.) in extracting solvents (10 mL), differing in their polarity and ionic strength. The mixtures were centrifuged (1500 rpm, 5 min.) and the supernatants were filtered (0.2 μm and 0.45 μm syringe filters). The samples were analyzed by a UVVis spectrophotometer (276 nm). The UV absorbance values were correlated to calibration curves established in each solvent, and the drug concentration was determined. The percentage of the extracted drug and, eventually, the percentage of the complexed drug were calculated. Results. The highest drug complexation (63%) was obtained in water. The complexation was ~ 10 – 20% less in the ionic solvents and significantly reduced in the less polar alcoholic solution (51%, 43%, and 28% complexation in saline, vinegar, and 40% ethanol solutions, respectively). Conclusion. The carbomer interpolymer type B shows potential for deterring the intravenous drug abuse. Future work is required to improve the deterrence capacity in the alcoholic and ionic solvents. Grants. NSU Grant 335081.