DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ZOLMITRIPTAN MUCOADHESIVE BUCCAL PATCHES

The objective of present study was to develop matrix type buccal patch therapeutic systems of Zolmitriptan using natural polymers as matrix formers. Zolmitriptan buccal patches were developed by using solvent casting technique. Various physicochemical parameters like weight variation, thickness, folding endurance, drug content, moisture content, moisture absorption parameters like mucoadhesive strength, force of adhesion, and bond strength were evaluated. An in vitro drug release study was designed, and it was carried out using commercial semipermeable membrane. Results revealed that prepared patches showed good physical characteristics, no drug-polymer interaction was observed. The in vitro release study revealed that F5 formulation showed maximum release in 8 hrs. The release of Zolmitriptan appears to be dependent on lipophilicity of the matrix. Moderately lipophilic matrices showed best release. The predominant release mechanism of drug through the fabricated matrices was believed to be by diffusion mechanism. Based upon the in vitro dissolution data the F5 formulation was concluded as optimized formulation.