Reduced deliquescency of isosorbide by cocrystallization and mechanisms for hygroscopicity

• We found novel cocrystal of isosorbide (ISO) that reduced deliquescency. • Water adsorbed related to exposure of the hydroxyl groups on the crystal surface. • The ISO-Gallic acid cocrystal is the most suitable for a solid formulation. Isosorbide (ISO) is an effective hyperosmotic agent that can be administrated orally and is used as a therapeutic agent for brain pressure drop, glaucoma, and Meniere’s disease. However, the critical relative humidity (CRH) of ISO is about 48% RH at 25 °C, and it deliquesces in humid environments. In this study, we attempted to reduce the deliquescence of ISO using cocrystallization and analyze the water adsorption mechanism from the crystal structure. Four new ISO cocrystals with piperazine (PZ), hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (35DHBA), or gallic acid (GA) were identified. The dynamic vapor sorption analyses demonstrated that all the cocrystals showed higher CRHs than the ISO crystal. Although water adsorption below the CRH was observed for all cocrystals, the water molecules adsorbed in the ISO-PZ and ISO-GA cocrystals were lower than those in the ISO crystal. Investigation of the crystal structures suggested that the amount of water adsorbed might be related to the degree of exposure of the ISO hydroxyl groups on the crystal surface. Given the CRH, water adsorption below the CRH, thermal stability, apparent dissolution rate, and toxicity level of the coformer, the ISO-GA cocrystal is the most suitable for preparing a solid formulation of ISO.