Fast Dissolving Sublingual Films of Ondansetron Hydrochloride: Effect of Additives on in vitro Drug Release and Mucosal Permeation

Abstract

Ondansetron hydrochloride, a 5 HT3 antagonist is a powerful antiemetic drug which has oral bioavailability of 60% due to hepatic first pass metabolism and has a short half-life of 5 h. To overcome the above draw back, the present study was carried out to formulate and evaluate fast dissolving films of ondansetron hydrochloride for sublingual administration. The films were prepared from polymers such as polyvinylalcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, Carbopol 934P in different ratios by solvent casting method. Propylene glycol or PEG 400 as plasticizers and mannitol or sodium saccharin as sweeteners were also included. The IR spectral studies showed no interaction between drug and polymer or with other additives. Satisfactory results were obtained when subjected to physico-chemical tests such as uniformity of weight, thickness, surface pH, folding endurance, uniformity of drug content, swelling index, bioadhesive strength, and tensile strength. Films were also subjected to in vitro drug release studies by using USP dissolution apparatus. Ex vivo drug permeation studies were carried out using porcine membrane model. In vitro release studies indicated 81–96% release within 7 min and 66–80% within 7 min during ex vivo studies. Drug permeation of 66–77% was observed through porcine mucosa within 40 min. Higher percentage of drug release was observed from films containing the sweeteners. The stability studies conducted for a period of 8 weeks showed no appreciable change in drug content, surface pH, and in vitro drug release.

Pharmaceutical and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of a Novel Fast Dissolving Film Formulation of Flupentixol Dihydrochloride

“…Disintegration time ranged from 15±0.05 to 120.0±0.82 s. The surface pH of the films ranged from 5.7±0.2 and 6.9±0.1. Surface pH of films was found to be around neutral pH, indicating that there will not be any kind of irritation to the mucosal lining of the oral cavity (26). All results are shown in Table II.…”

Sublingual Drug Delivery: An Indication of Potential Alternative Route

“…The distinct feature in the formulation of sublingual tablets involves the selection of suitable excipients of bland taste that shall ultimately resulting in a rapidly disintegrating tablet their by enhancing the dissolution of active ingredient [10].…”

Chitosan Mucoadhesive Buccal Films: Effect of Different Casting Solvents on Their Physicochemical Properties

“…The swelling index of medicated mucoadhesive films was determined using two aqueous vehicles; namely, distilled water and simulated saliva solution (2.38g NaR 2RHPOR4R, 0.19g KHR 2RPOR4R and 8g NaCl/liter of distilled water adjusted with phosphoric acid to pH 6.8±0.05) [16]. Films (1x1 cm) were weighed alone and placed on a pre-weighed wire mesh (49 openings/cm 2 The Swelling Index was calculated using the formula [17][18][19].…”

“…Percent elongation, modulus of elasticity and tensile strength were calculated as follows [6,19,20]: …”