A review: Buccal buccoadhesive drug delivery system

Abstract

Bioadhesive drug delivery system utilizes the property bioadhesion of certain water soluble polymers which become adhesive on hydration and hence can be used for targeting a drug to a particular region of the body for extended period of time. It has a rich blood supply that drains directly into the jugular vein, thus by passing the liver and sparing the drug from first pass metabolism. Ease of drug delivery even in unconscious patients those who are permitted nothing by mouth. The development of mucoadhesive buccal films has increased dramatically over the past decade because it is a promising delivery alternative to various therapeutic classes including peptides, vaccines and nanoparticles. The “film casting process” involves casting of aqueous solutions and/or organic solvents to yield films suitable for this administration route. Over the last decade, hot-melt extrusion has been explored as an alternative manufacturing process and has yielded promising results. Characterization of critical properties such as the mucoadhesive strength, drug content uniformity, and permeation rate represent the major research areas in the design of buccal films. The objective of this article is to review buccal drug delivery of patches (films) by discussing buccal mucosa and characterization of mucoadhesive buccal patch.