Physical chemical stability of warfarin sodium

Abstract

Crystalline warfarin sodium is an isopropanol clathrate containing 8.3% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and 0.57% water upon receipt. The hygroscopicity and impact of moisture on IPA status as well as on the stability of the clathrate was studied at different relative humidities. The IPA loss and water uptake were simultaneous but they did not exchange at 1:1 molar ratio. At 58% relative humidity (RH) or below, the exchange process was insignificant. At 68% RH or above, the clathrate tended to lose IPA while absorbing water and reverting to the amorphous state. The rate of IPA loss and moisture uptake was a function of RH. The thermal stability of the crystalline warfarin sodium was also examined. Physical change occurred after isothermal storage for 24 hours at 80 C and 11 hours at 120 C. The rate of IPA loss was temperature dependent.