An Insight into Preparatory Methods and Characterization of Orodispersible Film—A Review

Abstract

Over the past few decades, researchers and companies have been trying to develop novel drug delivery systems to ensure safety, efficacy, compliance, and patient acceptability. Nowadays drug discovery and development are expensive, complex, and time-consuming processes, but trends are moving toward novel drug delivery systems. This delivery system helps to achieve drug response by local and systemic action through different routes. This novel approach of preparing orodispersible films (ODFs) provides benefits to paediatric, geriatric, and bedridden patients. This review paper aims to provide details on the preparation, characterization, and evaluation of ODFs; it also aims to focus on the positive and negative factors that affect film formulation and give an insight into potential drug candidates and polymers for use in ODFs. ODFs are effective, safe, and have good bioavailability as compared to fast-disintegrating tablets. The novel approach has various advantages because it provides instant effects in emergency situations and in schizophrenic and dysphasic patients without the need for taking water, the films disintegrating within a few seconds in the oral cavity. The solvent casting method is the most frequently used technique to develop ODFs, using film-forming polymers, which have a fast disintegration time, improved drug dissolution, and better drug contents.

Preparation and Evaluation of Caffeine Orodispersible Films: The Influence of Hydrotropic Substances and Film-Forming Agent Concentration on Film Properties

“…Therefore, a new dosage form has been developed to quickly and efficiently provide drugs via the oral route without water intake. Orodispersible films (ODFs) are an attractive delivery system, with increased patient compliance, providing drugs at the site of action with prompt disintegration, dissolution, and administration without the need for swallowing and chewing [1][2][3].…”

“…One advantage is that the polymer can be broken down rapidly by the saliva and disintegrate in a few seconds, allowing the drug to be absorbed through the oral cavity, which delivers it into systemic circulation. Due to the high vascularization and thin-membrane structure of the sublingual mucosa, it offers very good bioavailability [2,34]. These new systems of drug transportation have become more and more popular in the scientific literature.…”

Orodispersible Film (ODF) Platform Based on Maltodextrin for Therapeutical Applications

“…The main production methods for ODFs are the solvent casting method and hot-melt extrusion [ 17 ]. Solvent casting consists of preparing a liquid mixture that is spread on a liner and dried in an oven to evaporate the solvent.…”

Polymeric Biomaterials for Topical Drug Delivery in the Oral Cavity: Advances on Devices and Manufacturing Technologies

“…Polymeric biomaterials containing drugs can be prepared in several ways, e.g., by solvent casting, direct compression, hot melting extrusion, rolling method, and 3D printing [ 18 , 19 ]. The best technique will depend on the nature of the polymer, the required architecture of the biomaterial, its application site, and the dosage of drug required for the treatment.…”