Abstract

SIGNIFICANCE OF FAST DISSOLVING ORAL FILMS AND ITS NOVEL APPROACH TOWARDS DRUG DELIVERY–A REVIEW

S. Sudheer and Sk. Ershadul Haque*

ABSTRACT

Novel drug delivery system is one of the frontier areas of research towards achieving an innovative technique for drug administration which can improve drug safety, therapeutic efficacy, stability and selflife of an active drug. Over the past few decades, it is chosen as an important area of research to develop innovative methods for the health sector and pharmaceutical industries. Fast dissolving oral films (FDOFs) in the year of 1970 initiated as an alternative to the existing drug delivery system such as tablet, capsule, parenteral, syrup, emulsion, cream and ointment. FDOFs are one of the most popular drug delivery system due to its flexibility and comfort of use. These films have a potential to absorb the drug through oral buccal mucosa and directly enter to the systemic circulation by fast-pass metabolism. These films have a potential to provide better drug utilization by delivering systemically through intra-gastric and sublingual. These films are gaining popularity due to rapid drug absorption and immediate onset of action within a few minutes of administration in buccal cavity. FDOFs are very convenient to pediatric, geriatric and bedridden patient who faces difficulty in swallow. FDOFs can be used for the treatment of common cold, mouth ulcer, cardiac problem, sore throat and allergic conditions etc. These films can be formulated by simple methods using several ingredients such as polymers, active medicaments, stabilizing agent, surfactants, sweetening agent, flavoring agent coloring agent and saliva stimulating agent. Evaluation of FDOFs can be done by checking several parameters such as thickness, folding endurance, tensile strength, percentage of elongation anddisintegration test. Additionally, drug content and dissolution test are carried out to determine amount of active drug present in the film. This review article shows all the details about formulation evaluation, packaging and marketed available product.

Keywords: Fast dissolving oral films, buccal film, fast disintegration, novel drug delivery.