FORMULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF RIMEGEPANT LOADED IN-SITU NASAL GEL FOR TREATMENT OF MIGRANE BY EXTENDED-RELEASE DRUG DELIVERY

Migraine treatment efficacy is often limited by conventional oral delivery systems. The objective of this study was to formulate and optimize a thermoreversible in-situ nasal gel of Rimegepant to provide extended drug release and improve therapeutic effectiveness. Rimegepant-loaded thermoreversible in-situ nasal gels were formulated using varying concentrations of Poloxamer 407 and Gellan Gum through factorial design. Formulations were characterized for physicochemical properties, thermal behavior (DSC), drug-excipient compatibility (FTIR), gelation characteristics, mucoadhesive strength, and ex-vivo permeation using goat nasal mucosa. The optimized formulation (KF8) exhibited ideal characteristics with gelation temperature of 35.23±0.45°C, gelation time of 9.76±1.4 seconds, viscosity of 51.76±0.96 m.Pa. s, and mucoadhesive strength of 6972.2±19.39 dyne/cm². DSC analysis confirmed drug purity (melting point 175.53°C) and compatibility with excipients. Ex- vivo studies demonstrated sustained drug release with 98.31±4.92% permeation over 10 hours, flux of 12.51 µg/cm²/h, and permeability coefficient of 0.00167 cm/h. The developed thermoreversible in-situ nasal gel demonstrates promising potential for efficient Rimegepant delivery, combining optimal gelation characteristics, sustained release, and warranting further clinical investigation for migraine treatment.