Abstract

Oral administration remains the preferred route due to ease of ingestion, versatility, and patient compliance, despite drawbacks such as difficulty in swallowing tablets and capsules, particularly among pediatric, geriatric, bedridden, and nauseous patients. Fast-dissolving drug delivery systems emerged in the late 1970s as an alternative to traditional oral solid-dosage forms like tablets, capsules, and syrups. These systems aim to disintegrate and dissolve quickly in the oral cavity without the need for water. Fast dissolving films, a novel drug delivery system inspired by transdermal patch technology, consist of ultra-thin oral strips applied directly onto the tongue or oral mucosal tissue. Upon contact with saliva, the film rapidly hydrates, adheres to the application site, and dissolves to release the medication for oral mucosal absorption. With formulation modifications, these films can also maintain their rapid dissolution properties for gastrointestinal absorption upon swallowing. This study aimed to formulate fast dissolving oral films of Metoprolol succinate to enhance bioavailability and circumvent presystemic metabolism. The films were developed using sodium CMC, sodium alginate, and polyvinyl alcohol polymers via the solvent casting method. Evaluation parameters included organoleptic properties, film weight, thickness, folding endurance, drug content uniformity, surface pH, disintegration time, and in vitro diffusion studies.

Description

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