Pranati Srivastava

Fast dissolving films: a review.

Fast-dissolving drug delivery systems have been developed as an alternative to conventional dosage form as an oral means of drug delivery in case of chronic conditions. Now a days fast dissolving films are preferred over conventional tablets and capsules for masking the taste of bitter drugs to increase the patient compliance. Fast dissolving films consist of a very thin oral strip which dissolves in less than one minute when placed on the tongue. Dissolvable oral thin films are in the market since past few years in the form of breath strips and are widely accepted by consumers for delivering vitamins, vaccines and other drug products. The various manufacturing techniques for the preparation of films have also been detailed in the review. The present review details most of the patents on such fast dissolving films in recent years. A brief study has been made on various parameters which are used to evaluate such films. In case of chronic disorders these fast dissolving films are better for delivering drugs and obtaining faster therapeutic blood levels and superior in comparison to other oral conventional dosage forms.

Evaluation of Various Natural Gums as Release Modifiers in Tablet Formulations

Abstract Background and purpose of study: In the present investigation, sustained release tablets of diclofenac sodium were formulated using guar gum and gum arabic (gum acacia) as release modifier. Methods: Six batches of sustained release matrix tablets of diclofenac sodium were prepared by using different drug:polymer ratios viz., 1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3, and 1:3.5 for both guar gum and gum acacia. The tablets were evaluated for physical characteristics like hardness, weight variation, fraibilty, and drug content. In vitro release of drug was studied in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) for twenty four hours. Results: All the physical characters of the formulated tablets were found to be within acceptable limits. The tablets with guar gum exhibited greater swelling index than those with gum acacia. A better controlled drug release (98.7%) was obtained with the matrix tablet (F1) made-up of the guar gum. Conclusion: It is clear through the dissolution profile of matrix tablets prepared using guar gum and gum acacia that these polymers have ability to retard drug release for 24 hrs.