Taste Masking Study of Orally Disintegrating Film (ODF) Formulations Containing Memantine Hydrochloride

Geriatric patients have difficulty to comply to their medication regimen due to complicated medication administration schedule, dysphagia, reduced ability to swallow tablets and dementia. This is particularly more challenging among the Alzheimer Disease's patients. Therefore, a model drug, memantine hydrochloride has been formulated into an orally disintegrating film (ODF) for easier consumption. However, bitter taste of memantine hydrochloride needs to be solved first if the drug is formulated into an ODF. The objective of this study is to taste mask memantine hydrochloride ODF and conduct a palatability study to evaluate the palatability of the dosage form. Memantine hydrochloride ODF was prepared using solvent casting method followed by freeze drying. The polymeric base consisted of Guar gum, PEG 400 and wheat starch in solvent water, with varying amounts of Aspartame or Acesulfame K for taste masking. The freeze-dried memantine hydrochloride ODFs were evaluated for tensile strength, in-vitro disintegration time, average thickness, dissolution, memantine hydrochloride content, and palatability. Formulation M7 was selected as the best taste masked formulation. Aspartame 30 mg is sufficient to cover the bitter taste of memantine hydrochloride in ODF form. A taste masked memantine hydrochloride ODF of dimensions 20 x 20 mm containing 30mg of aspartame was successfully developed. This formulation has average values for tensile strength 0.03 (0.01) kPa, folding endurance 351.92 (4.82) flips, thickness 0.94 (0.02) mm, and disintegration time 34.15 (2.16) seconds.