Design of controlled-release morphine suppositories containing polyglycerol ester of fatty acid

Controlled-release morphine suppositories were prepared by utilizing polyglycerol ester of fatty acid (PGEF). The addition of PGEF to fatty suppository base Witepsol H15 resulted in a decrease of morphine release rate from suppositories. Among PGEFs examined, decaglycerol heptabehenate (HB750) was the most effective additive for the controlled-release of morphine from fatty suppositories. The apparent viscosity of suppository bases increased with the increase in HB750 content, and good correlation was observed between the apparent viscosity of suppository bases at 37° C and the amount of HB750 added in the mixed base. The in vitro release rate of morphine was decreased by the addition of HB750 and the release rate constant (Higuchi's rate constant) for morphine release was significantly correlated with the HB750 content in the mixed bases as well as the apparent viscosity of mixed bases, indicating that the release of morphine from the mixed bases could be regulated by the HB750 content in the mixed bases. After rectal administration of Witepsol H-15-HB750 mixed suppositories to dogs, plasma concentrations of morphine did not increase rapidly at early time periods, but relatively high levels of morphine in plasma were sustained for longer time periods. Mean residence time of morphine was considerably prolonged without changing relative bioavailability in the case of the mixed base suppositories containing 15-17% HB750, compared with the Witepsol H15 suppository, clearly indicating that the mixed bases containing HB750 are expected to be useful for the design of controlled-release morphine suppositories.