Prefilled syringes are a fast growing alternatives to vials for many drug products. Increased interest in prefilled syringes is largely driven by the advantages they offer relative to the vials. Currently, most prefilled syringes are made of glass, but plastic syringes are gaining popularity, particularly in applications for which glass is an unsuitable delivery system. Plastic has been an alternative to glass in prefilled syringes since the early 1990’s. Earliest plastics were, however, made of polypropylene which did not offer the clarity of glass, many of its barrier properties or ease of sterilization. Polypropylene plastics also presented more challenges regards to extractables and leachables than glass due to the lack of historic data.
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On the other hand, contact between plastic containers and drugs can present a number of problems including leaching, sorption, permeation, chemical reactivity of the plastic polymer, and alteration of physical properties of the plastic. These problems have been considered for plastic used as a packaging materials.
Glass prefilled syringes, although less expensive than those which are reusable, have a higher cost than those made from plastic. Their advantage is in processing the handling and physical characteristics associated with glass. It is easy to sterilize and offer better visibility as well as enhanced barrier properties; it also has low reactivity and its nature and content are better defined and understood. On the other hand, glass is breakable and requires added care when filling and …show more content…
Earliest plastics were, however, made of polypropylene which did not offer the clarity of glass, many of its barrier properties or ease of sterilization. Polypropylene plastics also presented more challenges regards to extractables and leachables than glass due to the lack of historic data.
Stabilizers for polymers
Stabilizers for polymers are used directly or by combinations to prevent the various effects such as oxidation, chain scission and uncontrolled recombinations and cross-linking reactions that are caused by photo-oxidation of polymers. Polymers are considered to get weathered due to the direct or indirect impact of heat and ultraviolet light. The effectiveness of the stabilizers against weathering depends on solubility, ability to stabilize in different polymer matrix, the distribution in matrix, evaporation loss during processing and use. The effect on the viscosity is also an important concern for processing.
Various stabilizers used for polymers are antioxidants like benzofuranones, and UV absorbers like oxanilides for polyamides, benzophenones for PVC, benzotriazoles for polycarbonate are used.
Comparison of drug stability in glass versus plastic
On the other hand, contact between plastic containers and drugs can present a number of problems including leaching, sorption, permeation, chemical reactivity of the plastic polymer, and alteration of physical properties of the plastic. These problems have been considered for plastic used as a packaging materials.
Glass prefilled syringes, although less expensive than those which are reusable, have a higher cost than those made from plastic. Their advantage is in processing the handling and physical characteristics associated with glass. It is easy to sterilize and offer better visibility as well as enhanced barrier properties; it also has low reactivity and its nature and content are better defined and understood. On the other hand, glass is breakable and requires added care when filling and …show more content…
Earliest plastics were, however, made of polypropylene which did not offer the clarity of glass, many of its barrier properties or ease of sterilization. Polypropylene plastics also presented more challenges regards to extractables and leachables than glass due to the lack of historic data.
Stabilizers for polymers
Stabilizers for polymers are used directly or by combinations to prevent the various effects such as oxidation, chain scission and uncontrolled recombinations and cross-linking reactions that are caused by photo-oxidation of polymers. Polymers are considered to get weathered due to the direct or indirect impact of heat and ultraviolet light. The effectiveness of the stabilizers against weathering depends on solubility, ability to stabilize in different polymer matrix, the distribution in matrix, evaporation loss during processing and use. The effect on the viscosity is also an important concern for processing.
Various stabilizers used for polymers are antioxidants like benzofuranones, and UV absorbers like oxanilides for polyamides, benzophenones for PVC, benzotriazoles for polycarbonate are used.
Comparison of drug stability in glass versus plastic