Comparison of the in vitro release characteristics of mucosal freeze-dried wafers and solvent-cast films containing an insoluble drug.

Drug release characteristics of freeze-dried wafers and solvent-cast films prepared from sodium carboxymethylcellulose have been investigated and compared. In vitro drug dissolution studies were performed using an exchange cell and drug release was measured by UV spectroscopy at 272 nm using distilled water. The dissolution profiles of hydrochlorothiazide from the wafers and films were compared by determining the rates of drug release, estimated from the % release versus time profiles and calculating their difference (f(1)) and similarity (f(2)) factors.

Characterisation of freeze-dried wafers and solvent evaporated films as potential drug delivery systems to mucosal surfaces.

Freeze-dried (lyophilised) wafers and solvent cast films from sodium alginate (ALG) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) have been developed as potential drug delivery systems for mucosal surfaces including wounds. The wafers (ALG, CMC) and films (CMC) were prepared by freeze-drying and drying in air (solvent evaporation) respectively, aqueous gels of the polymers containing paracetamol as a model drug. Microscopic architecture was examined using scanning electron microscopy, hydration characteristics with confocal laser scanning microscopy and dynamic vapour sorption.

In vitro drug release studies of polymeric freeze-dried wafers and solvent-cast films using paracetamol as a model soluble drug.

Drug dissolution and release characteristics from freeze-dried wafers and solvent-cast films prepared from sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) have been investigated to determine the mechanisms of drug release from the two systems. The formulations were prepared by freeze-drying (wafers) or drying in air (films), the hydrated gel of the polymer containing paracetamol as a model soluble drug. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine differences between the physical structure of the wafers and films.

Development and mechanical characterization of solvent-cast polymeric films as potential drug delivery systems to mucosal surfaces.

Solvent-cast films from three polymers, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), sodium alginate (SA), and xanthan gum, were prepared by drying the polymeric gels in air. Three methods, (a) passive hydration, (b) vortex hydration with heating, and (c) cold hydration, were investigated to determine the most effective means of preparing gels for each of the three polymers. Different drying conditions [relative humidity - RH (6-52%) and temperature (3-45 degrees C)] were investigated to determine the effect of drying rate on the films prepared by drying the polymeric gels.