Use of oxygen scavengers to stabilize solid pharmaceutical dosage forms: A case study

A case study is described where degradation of a solid pharmaceutical dosage form susceptible to oxidation is minimized by incorporation of an oxygen scavenger as part of the packaging. Extremely low oxygen levels are attainable within 24 hr of packaging, even with permeable high-density polyethylene bottles commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry. This packaging methodology allows for a practical formulation-independent pathway for reducing or eliminating oxidative instability. In addition, this technology provides a convenient mechanistic probe for the degradation mechanism of solid dosage forms.