Biorelevant Experiment

Fed Gastric (FEDGAS) Dissolution

  • Simulate dissolution of a drug product in different stage stomach fluids (early, mid, late) after intake of an FDA high-fat meal

  • Particularly important for drugs where absorption is positively affected by increased solubility due to the presence of fats 

  • Check how a drug behaves in the stomach during digestion as changing pH levels due to stomach emptying can affect a drug's metabolism and absorption rate

  • For drugs that exhibit a positive food effect, the experiments can be discriminatory and reveal potential differences in absorption between formulations

Background 

The composition of fed state stomach fluid changes in vivo over time as digestion of an FDA high-fat meal takes place. This high-fat meal is used in human clinical studies to control the calorific content of the food co-administered when testing a drug product so the digestive physiological response to the food is standardized. One of the most notable changes in the fluid is the decrease in pH which facilitates digestion. Three different FEDGAS dissolution media (Early, Mid and Late) simulate this process. These media are filterable allowing dissolved drug to be readily separated from undissolved particles using 0.45μm pore size filters. FEDGAS media also simulate the levels of carbohydrates and fats present in the standard high-fat FDA meal.

FEDGAS Early (pH6)                                                             FEDGAS Mid (pH4.5)                                                           FEDGAS Late (pH3)

Which type of drugs are these experiments most useful for? 

FEDGAS biorelevant dissolution experiments are particularly useful for poorly water-soluble basic drugs whose absorption may be enhanced by co-administration with a high-fat meal. It is suitable for both immediate-release and enteric-coated formulations. 

Which FEDGAS dissolution media should I test my drug in? 

*For pH sensitive drugs: testing across all three FEDGAS media (Early, Mid and Late) provides insight into how dissolution is affected over time, helping to identify the most discriminatory medium for your formulation.

*For neutral drugs: dissolution testing in a single FEDGAS medium is usually sufficient because pH has limited influence on solubility.

*If the formulation includes pH sensitive excipients or coatings (for example modified-release products), testing across all three FEDGAS media is recommended.

            

We have produced step-by-step guides to help you conduct drug analysis, filter adsorption studies and FEDGAS dissolution testing. These guides can help you standardize your experiments and achieve consistent, reproducible results.

MATERIALS

FEDGAS Early (pH6)

Recommended to use 900mL in each dissolution vessel

Media Prep Calculator

FEDGAS Early (pH6)

FEDGAS Mid (pH4.5)

Recommended to use 900mL in each dissolution vessel

Media Prep Calculator

FEDGAS Mid (pH4.5)

FEDGAS Late (pH3)

Recommended to use 900mL in each dissolution vessel

Media Prep Calculator

FEDGAS Late (pH3)

Biorelevant Dissolution Filters

Biorelevant dissolution filters tailored to the exact specifications required for biorelevant dissolution testing. Available in boxes of 72 pieces

Media Prep Calculator

Biorelevant Dissolution Filters

RECOMMENDED BUYS

We recommend: 3 x FDG-GEL, 1 x FDG-BUF6, 1 x FDG-BUF4.5, 1 x FDG-BUF3 and 1 x GMF13

Fed Stomach
FDG-GEL
1kg
Buy 3, Save 20%
$499.99
-
+
Use with FEDGAS Gel
FDG-BUF6
250g
$29.99
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+
Use with FEDGAS Gel
FDG-BUF4.5
250g
$29.99
-
+
Use with FEDGAS Gel
FDG-BUF3
250g
$29.99
-
+
For Biorelevant Testing
GMF13
72 pieces
Buy 4, Save 25%
$199.99
-
+

METHOD

HPLC Analytical Set Up For FEDGAS Dissolution

Establish HPLC method for a drug product before carrying out FEDGAS dissolution

FormulationImmediate Release
MediaFEDGAS (Early/Mid/Late)
EquipmentUV (DAD or PDA) Detector
AnalysisHPLC
Filter Adsorption Study For FEDGAS Dissolution

Determine the % of drug adsorption and required volumes of media for dissolution sampling 

MaterialDrug Substance
MediaFEDGAS (Early/Mid/Late)
FilterGMF 13mm 0.45μm
AnalysisHPLC
FEDGAS Dissolution Test

Carry out dissolution of a drug product in simulated fed state gastric fluids

FormulationImmediate Release
MediaFEDGAS (Early/Mid/Late)
EquipmentUSP II
AnalysisHPLC