Predicting local drug availability of locally acting lozenges: From method design to a linear level A IVIVC.

Lozenges are commonly applied in the treatment of sore throat. They often contain drugs intended to exert their effect locally in the oral cavity and throat. In the recent past, an increasing interest in development of generic products for locally acting lozenges could be noted.

Bioequivalence of locally acting lozenges: Evaluation of critical in vivo parameters and first steps towards a bio-predictive in vitro test method.

Locally-acting lozenges are among the most common types of solid dosage forms applied in the oral cavity. Since no guidance on the in vitro demonstration of local bioequivalence is available, we wanted to develop a new bio-predictive test method for dissolution of lozenges based on a set of physiological parameters relevant to lozenge dissolution in the oral cavity. An in vivo sucking study determining the impact of different lozenge (candy) bases and flavours on sucking times, saliva osmolality and salivary flow rates was performed in 6 volunteers.