Solid-state Characterization of Mefenamic Acid

The purpose of this study was to characterize mefenamic acid (MA) from commercial samples and samples crystallized from different solvents. Various techniques used for characterization included microscopy (hot stage microscopy, scanning electron microscopy), intrinsic dissolution rate, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffractometry (pXRD). The commercial samples varied in their crystal habit, thermal behavior, and intrinsic dissolution rate. It was found that the commercial samples were polymorphic Form I, which converted to Form II on heating in a DSC pan. Similarly, compression in an intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) press resulted in the conversion of Form I to Form II. On the other hand, the samples recrystallized from different solvents under varying conditions yielded different crystal habits. Stirring and degree of supersaturation significantly influenced the crystal habit in all the solvents used in the study. Samples crystallized from ethanol and tetrahydrofuran yielded Form I, which behaved similarly to the commercial samples (M1 and M3). Recrystallization from ethyl acetate at a fast cooling rate yielded Form I, which on melting crystallized to Form II. The form I crystallized from ethyl acetate by fast cooling converted partially to form II on storing at ambient conditions. Forms I and II of MA were enantiotropically related. The results demonstrate the variable material characteristics of the commercial samples of MA and the influence of the crystallizing conditions on the formation of the polymorphs.