A REVIEW ON STUDY OF BUCCAL PATCHES: CURRENT STATUS OF FORMULATION AND EVALUATION METHODS

Abstract

The main barrier for the oral delivery of most of the drugs as potential therapeutic agents is their extensive presystemic metabolism, instability in acidic environment resulting into inadequate and erratic oral absorption. Parenteral route of administration is the only established route that overcomes all these drawbacks. But, these formulations are costly, have least patient compliance, require repeated administration. Buccal administration of drug provides a convenient route of administration for both systemic and local drug actions. Direct access to the systemic circulation through the internal jugular vein bypasses drug from the hepatic first pass metabolism leading to high bioavailability. In buccal drug delivery systems mucoadhesion is the key element so various mucoadhesive polymers have been utilized in different dosages form. The objective of writing this review on buccal drug delivery system was to compile the recent literature with special focus on buccal patches by discussing buccal mucosa and pathways of drug absorption, theories and mechanism of mucoadhesion. This review also summarizes the methodology in evaluating buccal patches.