Abstract

BUCCAL FILMS DRUG DELIVERY DEVICE: A REVIEW

Izhar Ahmed Syed*, S.Krishna

SR College of Pharmacy, Ananthsagar , Hasanparthy Warangal -506371.

ABSTRACT

Although the oral administration of drugs has been the preferred route of administration for the patients and clinicians, certain disadvantages such as hepatic first pass metabolism, gastric irritation, and enzymatic degradation within the gastrointestinal tract have been identified. The buccal route has been advocated as an alternative route of administration for drugs which undergo extensive hepatic first pass metabolism or which are susceptible to degradation and pre-systemic metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract. This route is well vascularised with venous blood draining the buccal mucosa reaching the heart directly via the internal jugular vein. Moreover, buccal delivery for the transmucosal absorption of drugs into the system circulation provides a number of advantages such rapid onset of action, sustained delivery, high permeability, and high blood flow and is easily accessible for both application and removal of a drug delivery device. In recent times, various mucoadhesive mucosal dosage forms have been developed, which included adhesive tablets, gels, ointments, and more recently films. Adhesive buccal film may be preferred over adhesive tablet in terms of flexibility and comfort. In addition, they can avoid the relatively short residence time of oral gels on the mucosa, which is easily washed away and removed by saliva. Moreover, buccal films also ensure more accurate dosing of drugs when compared to gels and ointments10. The buccal films will increases the contact time, achieving controlled release, reducing the frequency of administration and obtain greater therapeutic efficacy.

Keywords: Buccal films, bioadhesion, Mucoadhesive polymers