FORMULATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MUCOADHESIVE BUCCAL FILMS OF RANITIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Delivery of the desired drug as mucoadhesives drug delivery systems has been subject of interest since last three decades. The various advantages associated with these systems made the buccal drug delivery as a novel route of drug administration. The oral transmucosal drug delivery bypasses liver and avoids presystemic elimination in the gastro intestinal tract and liver. The present investigation highlights the formulation and evaluation of mucoadhesive buccal films of Ranitidine Hydrochloride. The mucoadhesive buccal films of Ranitidine were prepared by solvent casting technique using polymers like hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose E15 (HPMC E15) and carbopol 934P alone or in combination. The formulated films were evaluated for their physiochemical parameters like surface pH, percentage moisture absorption, percentage moisture loss, swelling percentage, water vapor transmission rate, thickness, weight of the films, folding endurance and drug content. In vitro release studies were performed with pH 6.8 phosphate buffer solution. The films exhibited controlled release more than 12 h. The best mucoadhesive performance and matrix controlled release was exhibited by the formulation A2 and A6. The formulation was found to be right and suitable candidate for the formulation of ranitidine buccal film for therapeutic use.