Orodispersible Film Based on Maltodextrin: A Convenient and Suitable Method for Iron Supplementation

How sugar types and fabrication methods affect palatability in paediatric-friendly oromucosal pullulan films of chlorpromazine hydrochloride

Ensuring children adhere to their prescribed medication can be challenging, particularly when a large number of medicines on the market consist of unpalatable drugs and difficult to swallow dosage forms. Sugar-based oromucosal films are easy to administer dosage forms across all age groups within the paediatric population, as they eliminate the need for swallowing or water intake and can contribute to enhancing palatability and medicine adherence. In the current study, electrospun and 3D printed oromucosal films of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CHZ), a bitter drug, were developed based on pullulan, a natural polysaccharide, and an array of sweeteners. Their taste masking efficacy was assessed in vitro using an electronic tongue, showing a significant suppression of the bitter taste of CHZ in the presence of sucralose, sucrose and isomalt in the 3D-printed films. In vivo assessment further confirmed that the sugar-based 3D printed films are highly acceptable to volunteers. For the electrospun films, volunteers reported neutral responses for overall acceptability, likely due to their lack of familiarity with this type of formulation. Overall, with improved acceptability and further optimization for taste masking, sugar-based films could serve as a viable alternative to conventional solid oral dosage forms for administering drugs to children.

Development of a Hydrocortisone Orodispersible Thin Film Containing Its Succinate Prodrug

Orodispersible thin film (ODF) is an innovative dosage form that allows for adjustable dosing and improved patient compliance. It is administered by mouth, where it dissolves, making it suitable for children.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to develop and characterize an optimal ODF formulation containing equivalent hydrocortisone at 0.5 mg/cm2 using the solvent-casting method. A stability-indicating assay for the simultaneous quantification of hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone 21-hemissucinate (HMS) was developed. ODFs were characterized by organoleptic properties and by testing for uniformity of mass, content, stability, thickness, and dissolution.

RESULTS

When optimized, ODF is thin, flexible, and transparent, making it suitable for production in hospital pharmacies using standard equipment. In contrast to the water-insoluble hydrocortisone, the HMS-loaded cast gel successfully satisfied the tests, including content uniformity. Disintegration appeared acceptable as compared to the commercial grade ondansetron ODF (Setofilm®). The physicochemical stability of the active ingredients (i.e., HMS, hydrocortisone) contained in the ODF at 0.5 mg/cm2 is demonstrated for at least 84 days at 23 °C.

CONCLUSION

The ODF formulated with the water-soluble hydrocortisone prodrug HMS allows accurate drug level to be achieved, thus opening up new opportunities for use in pediatric patients.

Oral iron supplementation: new formulations, old questions

Iron-deficiency anemia and pre-anemic iron deficiency are the most frequent pathologies. The first line of treatment involves oral iron supplementation. The simplest, least expensive, and most commonly prescribed drug is ferrous sulfate, while other ferrous salts and ferric complexes with polysaccharides or succinylated milk proteins are also widely used. In recent years, novel iron formulations have been developed, such as the lipophilic iron donor ferric maltol, or nanoparticle encapsulated sucrosomial® iron. Oral iron supplementation is usually efficacious in correcting iron-deficiency anemia and replenishing iron stores but causes gastrointestinal side effects that reduce compliance. When oral iron supplementation is contraindicated, intravenous iron therapy can rapidly achieve therapeutic targets without gastrointestinal complications. Herein, we critically review literature on relative efficacy and tolerability of currently available oral iron supplements, and summarize recent data on optimal dosage and frequency.

Orodispersible Films: Current Innovations and Emerging Trends

Orodispersible films (ODFs) are thin, mechanically strong, and flexible polymeric films that are designed to dissolve or disintegrate rapidly in the oral cavity for local and/or systemic drug delivery. This review examines various aspects of ODFs and their potential as a drug delivery system. Recent advancements, including the detailed exploration of formulation components, such as polymers and plasticizers, are briefed. The review highlights the versatility of preparation methods, particularly the solvent-casting production process, and novel 3D printing techniques that bring inherent flexibility. Three-dimensional printing technology not only diversifies active compounds but also enables a multilayer approach, effectively segregating incompatible drugs. The integration of nanoparticles into ODF formulations marks a significant breakthrough, thus enhancing the efficiency of oral drug delivery and broadening the scope of the drugs amenable to this route. This review also sheds light on the diverse in vitro evaluation methods utilized to characterize ODFs, ongoing clinical trials, approved marketed products, and recent patents, providing a comprehensive outlook of the evolving landscape of orodispersible drug delivery. Current patient-centric approaches involve developing ODFs with patient-friendly attributes, such as improved taste masking, ease of administration, and enhanced patient compliance, along with the personalization of ODF formulations to meet individual patient needs. Investigating novel functional excipients with the potential to enhance the permeation of high-molecular-weight polar drugs, fragile proteins, and oligonucleotides is crucial for rapid progress in the advancing domain of orodispersible drug delivery.