ABSTRACT
Patient convenience and compliance oriented research has resulted in bringing out safer and newer drug delivery systems. Fast dissolving drug delivery systems were first invented in the late 1970s as to overcome swallowing difficulties associated with tablets and capsules for paediatric and geriatric patients. Fast dissolving films, a new drug delivery system for the oral delivery of the drugs, was developed based on the technology of the transdermal patch. The immediate dissolution, in water or saliva respectively, is reached through a special matrix from water-soluble polymers. Active pharmaceutical substance can be from any class of pharmaceutically active substances & that can be administered orally or through the buccal mucosa. Water-soluble polymers are used as film formers. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation to the films have been improved by the addition of plasticizers. Surfactants are used as solublising or wetting or dispersing agent so that the film is getting dissolved within seconds and release active agent immediately.
