Abstract

Priyanka Gupta, Amrita Bisht and Dr. N. G. Raghavendra Rao*

ABSTRACT

In the late 1970s, rapid disintegrating drug delivery system was developed as an alternative to capsules, tablets and syrups for geriatric and pediatric patients having problems in swallowing. To overcome the need, number of orally disintegrating tablets which disintegrate within one minute in mouth without chewing or drinking water were commercialized. Then later, oral drug delivery technology had been improved from conventional dosage form to modified release dosage form and developed recently rapid disintegrating films rather than oral disintegrating tablets. Orally fast dissolving films (OFDFs) have been introduced in the market recently as they provide convenience and ease of use over other dosage forms such as orally disintegrating tablets. This technology evolved over the past few years from the confection and oral care markets in the form of breath strips and became a novel and widely accepted form by consumers, so OFDFs are gaining the interest of large number of pharmaceutical industries. Orally fast dissolving film is the type of drug delivery system which when placed in the oral cavity, disintegrate or dissolve within few seconds without the intake of water. OFDFs are very similar to postage stamp in their shape, size and thickness. These films have a potential to deliver the drug systemically through intragastric, sublingual or buccal route of administration and also has been used for local action. This type of technology offer a convenient way of dosing medication, not to special population groups like pediatric, geriatric, bedridden patients, mentally ill patients, but also to the general population. Some companies introduced more robust forms of fast-dissolving drug delivery the film is placed on the top or the floor of the tongue. When put on the tongue, this film dissolves instantaneously, releasing the drug which dissolves in the saliva. Some drugs are absorbed from the mouth, pharynx and esophagus as the saliva passes down into the stomach. In such case is enhancing drug bioavailability, No risk of chocking, Provide good mouth feel. The present review provides an account of various formulation considerations, method of preparation and quality control of the OFDFs.