OVERVIEW ON FAST DISSOLVING ORAL FILMS

About author :
Dr. N. G. Raghavendra Rao
Principal and Professor
Jyothishmathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Science
Ramakrishna Colony, Thimmapur,
KARIMNAGAR-505481, Andhra Pradesh
Email: ngraghu@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT:
Fast-dissolving oral delivery systems are solid dosage forms, which disintegrate or dissolve within 1 min when placed in the mouth without drinking water or chewing. More recently, fast-dissolving films are gaining interest as an alternative to fast-dissolving tablets to definitely eliminate patient’s fear of chocking and overcome patent impediments. Oral dissolving films are formulated by incorporating the drug with selected oral cavity absorption enhancers in a specially designed oral dissolving film carriers. This facilitates the rapid absorption in the oral cavity for drugs with low GIT-bioavailability and intensive first-pass effects. This it offers shortening onset time, enhancing bioavailability and reducing the probability of first pass side effect. The current review focuses on the recent development in the oral dissolving film and discusses about its technique for preparation of film as well its evaluation. Thin film drug delivery, also referred to as orally dissolving thin film, and has emerged as an advanced alternative to the traditional tablets, capsules and liquids often associated with prescription and OTC medications. Thin film enables the drug to be delivered to the blood stream either intragastrically, buccally or sublingually. The sublingual and buccal delivery of a drug via thin film has the potential to improve the onset of action, lower the dosing, and enhance the efficacy and safety profile of the medicament. ODFT offers an alternate platform for molecules that undergoes first pass metabolism. Our review article suggests that (ODFT) can be the possible way to improve patient compliance and robustness. Various pharma companies adopted advance technologies to make ODFT commercialized in large scale despite of several limitations.
Key words: Oral dissolving film, Film forming polymer, Solvent casting technique, Pediatric Patients, Geriatric Patients