FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND PHARMACOTECHNICAL EVALUATION OF MUCOADHESIVE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR ORAL CANDIDIASIS

Itraconazole is an anti-fungal drug.  It prevents growth of several types of fungi by preventing the fungi from producing the membranes that surround the fungal cells. It is active against fungal infections such as aspergillosis, blastomycosis, histoplasmosis, and candidiasis, as well as fungal infection localized to the toenails and fingernails (onychomycosis). The oral liquid is typically used in patients with oral thrush, especially AIDS, and in the prophylaxis of fungal infections in leukemia or after bone marrow transplantation. The present study is aimed to develop mucoadhesive buccal tablet containing itraconazole. Various approaches to combine hydrophilic (HPMC, chitosan) polymers have been made to prepare total six formulations. Further, these formulations were subjected to different evaluation studies like content uniformity, surface pH, friability, bio adhesiveness and dissolution tests. Results for in vitro drug release and bio adhesiveness studies suggest that the formulation (F5) containing chitosan (20%w/w) and HPMC (80%w/w) has shown better mucoadhesive property. Thus, the present investigation suggests the combination of HPMC and chitosan, as hydrophilic polymers for preparation of Itraconazole mucoadhesive tablets.