THERMAL STABILITY STUDY OF AQUEOUS OXTOCIN FORMULATION FOR INTRANASAL DELIVERY

Abstract

Post-partum haemorrhage has been highlighted as one of the most common causes of maternal deaths in third world countries. Oxytocin, a pharmaceutical neuropeptide, was identified as the drug of first choice to treat post-partum haemorrhage. It is currently available in the form of intravenous administration and requires cold-chain supply and storage condition as oxytocin degrades rapidly at 30 oC and above. Most third world countries experience tropical climate where temperature frequently hovers above 30 oC. Cold-chain supply and storage are often inadequate in these places. Additionally, in rural areas, most women give birth at home and intravenous injection requires skilled medical personnel to administer which are often not immediately available. In the present studies, intranasal delivery of oxytocin in aqueous micellar formulation is explored. Thermal stability of these formulations was evaluated and micellar formulation with sucrose laurate demonstrated enhanced thermal stability of oxytocin.