Excellent Solubility Of HydroTrim®

Lieven Claerhout

The combination of sulfonamides and trimethoprim has a synergistic activity against numerous bacteria. Sulfonamides and trimethoprim have bacteriostatic properties, but their combined administration results in a bactericidal activity. 

Veterinary products containing sulfadiazine / trimethoprim for use in drinking water:

  • are rapidly absorbed
  • demonstrate a high oral bioavailability (80-90%)
  • are distributed widely throughout tissue

However, optimal clinical results can only be achieved when both active components reach the target tissue at the optimal ratio and concentration.

 

Poor solubility of trimethoprim

Trimethoprim is a poorly water-soluble antimicrobial with a maximum solubility of 0.4 mg/ml. The subsequent sedimentation of trimethoprim after product administration in highly concentrated stock solutions (proportioners) jeopardises the efficacy of water-soluble products containing sulfonamides and trimethoprim. If only the sulfonamide part is dissolved, animals don't benefit from the synergism, resulting in a lack of clinical efficacy. Furthermore, sedimentation in the water delivery systems creates extra work for the farmer and increases the risk of blockages in the pipelines.

 

HydroTrim®

HydroTrim 500 mg sulfadiazine and 100 mg trimethoprim/g is an innovative formulation based on an advanced nanonisation technology. By using this technology, poorly soluble trimethoprim crystals are ground into many small nanoparticles (Figure 1). The subsequent increased surface area results in the fast and complete dissolution of trimethoprim, ensuring an improved efficacy based on a higher synergistic effect with sulfadiazine (Figure 2).

 

Figure 1. Nanonisation of trimethoprim in HydroTrim®

 

Figure 2. Solubility of HydroTrim® compared to standard formulations

 

Solubility trial

  • Four water soluble commercial products containing sulfadiazine and trimethoprim at a ratio of 5:1 were evaluated. 
  • Samples of highly concentrated stock solutions (proportioners) were taken at different time points after product administration. The trimethoprim concentration in the drinking water of different qualities (hard or soft) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis (Figure 3). 

 

Figure 3. Trimethoprim concentrations expressed as a percentage of the theoretical concentration of 10 mg/ml, corresponding to 1 kg HydroTrim® per 10 l water. Samples were taken at different time points in hard and soft water (pH 8.02 and 6.18, respectively) at three levels in the vessels (top, middle and bottom)

 

  • The stock containers were also visually observed at 0, 2, 6, and 12 h after product administration (Figure 4): 
    • Sedimentation, crystallisation and flotation were observed in products A, B and C from 2 h after product administration in both water conditions. 
    • HydroTrim remained homogenous at all time points in both hard and soft water.

 

Figure 4. Visual observations 6 h after product administration in hard water

 

Conclusion

The nanonisation technology used in the manufacture of HydroTrim 500 mg sulfadiazine and 100 mg trimethoprim/g ensures a superior solubility of trimethoprim, even in highly concentrated stock solutions (proportioners). This results in an extended broad-spectrum activity and an improved synergistic clinical effect.

To find out more about HydroTrim, download the brochure.

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