Formulation and Evaluation of Fast Dissolving Film of Zolmitriptan : For Sublingual Use

Fast dissolving films have become popular as a new delivery system because they are easy to administer and sudden onset of drug action is possible as the films are taken through the sublingual route. In present study Zolmitriptan fast dissolving sublingual films were prepared which allow fast, reproducible drug dissolution in the oral cavity, thus bypassing first pass metabolism to provide rapid onset of drug action. The fast dissolving films were prepared by solvent casting method. Low viscosity grade of hydroxylpropyl methylcellulose (HPMC E5) and maltodextrin were used as film forming polymer due to their hydrophilic nature. Proposed combination provides acceptable dissolving criteria owing to HPMC E5 and better mechanical properties due to maltodextrin. Propylene glycol, citric acid, mannitol and mango flavour were used as a plasticizer, saliva stimulating agent, sweetener and flavouring agent respectively. Drug-excipients compatibility study was done using FT-IR spectroscopy. The prepared films were evaluated for thickness, weight variation, disintegration time, surface pH, folding endurance, drug content, in vitro dissolution, tensile strength and % elongation.