Influence of relative humidity on the adhesive properties of a model interactive system.

The influence of relative humidity on the adhesive properties of model drug-carrier interactive systems was investigated using the centrifuge method. The degree of adhesion was quantified by determining the S50 from the adhesion profile. High ambient humidity (greater than 40% r.h.) decreased the degree of interaction of three sulphonamide powders with model hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate-coated glass bead carriers during blending. All drug-carrier interactive systems displayed decreases in the degree of adhesion during storage. The extent and rate of the decreases increased with relative humidity and was interactive system-dependent. Preconditioning the powders to varying moisture contents produced contrasting results during blending, with one system showing a decrease in adhesion as the relative humidity increased, while the other's interactive capability increased. This increase was attributed to the enhancement of charging sites on the drug's powders surface by the adsorbed moisture.