By Scott D. Barnhart, MS, and Martha S. Sloboda, MBA
Drug Delivery Technology
September 2007
Dissolvable oral thin films (OTFs) are a proven technology for the systemic delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Pharmaceutical companies and consumers, particularly pediatric and geriatric patient populations, have adopted OTFs as a practical alternative to traditional OTC medicines, such as liquids, tablets, and capsules, because of the various benefits of the films (fast, accurate dosing; safe, efficacious format; convenience; portability).
The next generation of dissolvable films is being designed to move beyond immediate-release oral delivery into applications such as implantable, topical, sublingual, and gastro-retentive platforms for the delivery of both small and large molecules. This work is the direct result of the flexibility in dissolvable film design and manufacture. This article attempts to outline the next generation of films, the benefits of the platform across delivery routes, and the primary considerations in formulating for novel applications.
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