In Vitro Enteral Feeding Tube Study for Lacosamide Extended-release Capsules
Marie Tan1, Lixin Gong1, Ketankumar Gondalia1, Anil Patel1, Priti Trivedi1, Gloria Macalintal1, Dhruval Patel1, Prexa Patel1, Ha Nguyen1
1Aucta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Objective:
To evaluate the suitability of Lacosamide Extended-Release (ER) Capsules for administration via enteral feeding tubes through in vitro testing. 
Background:
Lacosamide ER Capsules, is an approved antiseizure medication containing Lacosamide ER beads taken whole orally once daily. Some patients cannot safely swallow or tolerate oral medications, making enteral feeding tubes a suitable alternative for drug administration.
Design/Methods:

Lacosamide ER Capsules, 200 mg, was used as 200 mg was the highest strength with the highest risk of forming occlusions. Different sizes of nasogastric (NG) tubes and gastrostomy (G) tubes with 2 types of extension set were evaluated. Suitable dispersion medium, distilled water, volume of water for dispersion, soaking time of beads dispersed in water, detailed preparation for dispersion including proposed administration instructions through the tubes, flush volume used before and after drug administration were determined. Testing of recovery, sedimentation volume, dispersibility and in-use stability for Lacosamide ER beads soaked in water were performed. Dissolution testing for initial and 5-minute soaking time of ER beads in water at room temperature was performed after administering through an oral syringe and an enteral tube in dissolution media. The above tests were only performed on the smallest tubing diameter suitable, 16 Fr (Fr = French, 3 Fr = 1 millimeter) for NG tubes and 18 Fr for G tubes, as the successful testing on the smallest tubing diameter obviated the need to perform testing through tubing with larger diameters.

Results:
Recovery testing, sedimentation volume, redispersibility, and dissolution all met specifications. 
Conclusions:

The study demonstrated that Lacosamide ER Capsules can be adequately delivered via enteral feeding tubes through 16 Fr or above for nasogastric tubes and 18 Fr or above for gastrostomy tubes. This proposed alternative administration method via feeding tube in addition to the approved labeling preserves the correct dose and the expected safety and effectiveness.

10.1212/WNL.0000000000216335
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