Abstract:
The present invention relates to novel polymorphs of tolterodine tartrate, to processes for their preparation and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application is a 371 of PCT/IN03/00149 filed 8 Apr. 2003. 
     The present invention relates to novel polymorphs of tolterodine tartrate, to processes for their preparation and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Tolterodine of formula (1): 
                                
or 2-[(1R)-3-[bis(1-methylethyl)amino]-1-phenylpropyl]-4-methylphenol and its salts are muscarinic receptor antagonists. Tolterodine tartrate is a muscarinic receptor antagonist and is used in the treatment of urinary incontinence. Tolterodine tartrate and related compounds and their therapeutic uses are disclosed in EP 0325571.
 
     Polymorphs of tolterodine tartrate were not reported in the literature. So, there is a need for stable, well-defined and reproducible crystalline forms. 
     It has now been discovered that tolterodine tartrate can be prepared in four well-defined and consistently reproducible crystalline forms and one stable amorphous form. 
     The object of the present invention is to provide stable novel polymorphs of tolterodine tartrate, processes for preparing these forms and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel crystalline form of tolterodine tartrate, designated as form I, characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having peaks expressed as 2θ at about 11.9, 13.6, 14.2, 15.9, 16.9, 18.4, 18.8, 20.4, 22.0, 23.9, 25.4, 26.3 and 29.8 degrees.  FIG. 1  shows typical form I x-ray powder diffraction spectrum. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a process is provided for preparation of tolterodine tartrate form I. Thus, tolterodine free base is dissolved in a suitable solvent, tartaric acid is added to the solution and tolterodine tartrate form I is isolated. The suitable solvents are ethanol, methylene dichloride, chloroform, acetone, acetonitrile and 1,4-dioxane; and a mixture thereof. The preferable solvents are ethanol and acetone. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel crystalline form of tolterodine tartrate, designated as form II, characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having peaks expressed as 2θ at about 8.7, 9.0, 9.6, 10.1, 10.4, 11.9, 14.0, 15.7, 16.9, 17.6, 17.9, 18.4, 18.7, 20.0, 20.5, 22.1, 24.5, 29.1 and 35.9 degrees.  FIG. 2  shows typical form II x-ray powder diffraction spectrum. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a process is provided for preparation of tolterodine tartrate form II. Thus, tolterodine free base is dissolved in ethyl acetate, tartaric acid is added and tolterodine tartrate form II is isolated by filtration or centrifugation. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel crystalline form of tolterodine tartrate, designated as form III, characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having peaks expressed as 2θ at about 9.1, 9.7, 10.6, 11.7, 11.9, 12.7, 14.3, 15.7, 17.9, 18.5, 18.8, 19.1, 20.1, 20.4, 22.1, 22.5, 25.1, 32.8 and 35.5 degrees.  FIG. 3  shows typical form III x-ray powder diffraction spectrum. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a process is provided for preparation of tolterodine tartrate form III. Thus, tolterodine free base is dissolved in methyl tert-butyl ether, tartaric acid is added to the solution and tolterodine tartrate form III is isolated by filtration or centrifugation. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel crystalline form of tolterodine tartrate, designated as form IV, characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having peaks expressed as 2θ at about 7.8, 9.8, 15.2, 17.2, 17.7, 18.4, 18.9, 20.3 and 25.9 degrees.  FIG. 4  shows typical form IV x-ray powder diffraction spectrum. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a process is provided for preparation of tolterodine tartrate form IV. Thus, tolterodine tartrate, an alcohol and water are mixed and the solvents are removed from the solution by freeze drying. The suitable alcohols are methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and n-butanol; and a mixture thereof. The preferable alcohols are methanol and ethanol. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel amorphous form of tolterodine tartrate, designated as amorphous tolterodine tartrate, characterized by having broad x-ray diffraction spectrum as in  FIG. 5 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, a process is provided for preparation of amorphous tolterodine tartrate. Thus, tolterodine tartrate, an alcohol and water are mixed and the solvents are removed from the solution by vacuum drying or spray drying. The suitable alcohols are methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and n-butanol; and a mixture thereof. The preferable alcohol are methanol and ethanol. 
     Tolterodine free base and tolterodine tartrate used in the above processes can be obtained from the previously known methods. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polymorphic form of tolterodine tartrate and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The polymorphic form includes form I, form II, form III, form IV or amorphous tolterodine tartrate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of tolterodine tartrate form I. 
         FIG. 2  is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of tolterodine tartrate form II. 
         FIG. 3  is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of tolterodine tartrate form III. 
         FIG. 4  is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of tolterodine tartrate form IV. 
         FIG. 5  is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of amorphous tolterodine tartrate. 
     
    
    
     x-Ray powder diffraction spectrum was measured on a Siemens D5000 x-ray powder diffractometer having a copper-Kα radiation. 
     The following examples further illustrate the present invention. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Tolterodine free base (5.0 gm) is dissolved in ethanol (75 ml) and tartaric acid (3.0 gm) is added to the solution. Then the contents are stirred for 2 hours at 25° C. to 30° C. and filtered to give 5.0 gm of tolterodine tartrate form I. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Tolterodine free base (5.0 gm) is dissolved in acetone (80 ml) and tartaric acid (3.0 gm) is added to the solution. Then the contents are stirred for 2 hours at 25° C. to 30° C. and filtered to give 5.0 gm of tolterodine tartrate form I. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Tolterodine free base (2.0 gm) is dissolved in ethyl acetate (25 ml) and tartaric acid (1.2 gm) is added to the solution. Then the contents are maintained for 2 hours at 25° C. to 30° C. and filtered to give 2.2 gm of tolterodine tartrate form II. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     Tolterodine free base (2.0 gm) is dissolved in methyl tert-butyl ether (25 ml), tartaric acid (1.2 gm) is added and the reaction mass is heated to 40° C. Then the contents are cooled to 25° C., maintained for 2 hours at 25° C. to 30° C. and filtered to give 2.1 gm of tolterodine tartrate form III. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     Tolterodine tartrate (2.0 gm), methanol (50 ml) and water (50 ml) are mixed. The solution is subjected to freeze drying for 20 hours to give 1.9 gm of tolterodine tartrate form IV. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     Tolterodine tartrate (2.0 gm), ethanol (50 ml) and water (50 ml) are mixed. The solution is subjected to freeze drying for 20 hours to give 1.9 gm of tolterodine tartrate form IV. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     Example 5 is repeated using tolterodine tartrate form I instead of tolterodine tartrate. The yield of tolterodine tartrate form IV is 1.9 gm. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     Tolterodine tartrate (2.0 gm), methanol (50 ml) and water (50 ml) are mixed. The solvents are removed from the solution by vacuum drying for 10 hours at 60° C. to give 1.8 gm of amorphous tolterodine tartrate. 
     EXAMPLE 9 
     Example 8 is repeated using tolterodine tartrate form II instead of tolterodine tartrate. The yield of amorphous tolterodine tartrate is 1.8 gm. 
     EXAMPLE 10 
     Tolterodine tartrate (2.0 gm), methanol (50 ml) and water (50 ml) are mixed. The solution is subjected to spray drying in a Mini-Spray Dryer (Buchi Model-190) at an inlet temperature 89° C.-91° C. and outlet temperature 61° C.-42° C. to give 1.7 gm of amorphous tolterodine tartrate.