FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF MUCOADHESIVE FILMS OF ZOLMITRIPTAN

Formulation development for new drugs, an extension of formulations, finding an alternative to conventional dosage forms for better therapeutic response are some of the research impetus in Pharmaceutical F and D. The new -untried routes of administration are also an avenue that can be explored. Under this research zolmitriptan, an antimigraine, BCS class II drug is formulated into mucoadhesive films. Zolmitriptan shows 40 to 50% oral bioavailability owing to its low solubility and degradation in GIT. Mucoadhesive films can be an effective formulation for this drug owing to its good permeability. Direct absorption in blood and preventing GIT degradation by mucoadhesion on buccal mucosa can be two rationales stated for the improvement of bioavailability of zolmitriptan via mucoadhesive films. Migraine strikes as abrupt and disturbing health situation and needs immediate treatment. Thus, the mucoadhesive film can be more promising than oral tablets for zolmitriptan in the treatment of migraine. Blank mucoadhesive films were prepared using various combinations of. HPMC K15, Eudragit L 100, whereas concentrations of chitosan, PVA, beta-cyclodextrin, Na CMC were selected from the literature survey. Later 2.5 mg per 2 × 2 cm² drug-loaded formulations were developed and optimized. Factorial design of 3² models suggested F1 be optimized batch. Evaluation of films for mechanical and drug release studies along with stability study suggested that mucoadhesive films can be a successful formulation for zolmitriptan for the management of migraine. Such formulation can have commercial applications, too, as no such formulation is yet available.