Loratidine buccal films for allergic rhinitis: development and evaluation.

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Allergic rhinitis and symptoms require effective, long-lasting treatments.
• Current delivery methods may lack patient compliance or sustained therapeutic effect.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, patient-compliant buccoadhesive film for sustained loratadine delivery.
• To evaluate the film's properties, including mucoadhesion, drug release, and in-vivo performance.

Main Methods:

• Polymeric buccoadhesive films of loratadine were prepared using hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) and Eudragit® NE 30D via solvent-casting.
• Films were characterized for physical properties, hydration, mucoadhesion, and drug release kinetics (Hixson-Crowell).
• In-vivo studies in human volunteers assessed prolonged mucoadhesion.

Main Results:

• All films exhibited excellent mechanical strength and uniform drug content.
• Increased HPMC content enhanced mucoadhesive strength.
• Increased Eudragit® NE 30D content reduced hydration and drug release but improved mucoadhesion time.
• In-vivo studies confirmed prolonged mucoadhesion.

Conclusions:

• The developed loratadine buccoadhesive film offers sustained drug release and prolonged mucoadhesion.
• This formulation represents a potentially clinically relevant drug delivery system for managing allergic symptoms.
• The film's properties can be tailored by adjusting HPMC and Eudragit® NE 30D content.