Formulation Development and Characterization of Mucoadhesive Patch of Atenolol

The buccal region of oral cavity is an attractive site for administration of drug of choice. Buccal route is an excellent for systemic delivery of drug providing great bioavailability. A significant reduction in dose and dosing frequency can be achieved, thereby reducing dose dependent side effects, patient compliance and prolonging duration of action.Buccal dosage form increase bioavailability and prevent first pass metabolism of drug. The present study involves formulation and evaluation of patch of atenolol using chitosan with a hydrophilic polymer like PVP K-30 in various proportions and combinations fabricated by solvent casting technique. Propylene glycol has been used as plasticizer as well as penetration enhancer. Atenolol an antihypertensive drug which undergoes first pass metabolism with t 1⁄2 6-7 hrs.. Various physicomechanical parameters like weight variation, thickness, folding endurance, drug content, water vapour transmission moisture content, moisture absorption, in vitro and ex vivo drug release, in-vitro permeation, stability in simulated saliva and various mucoadhesion parameters like mucoadhesive strength, force of adhesion and bond strength were evaluated. The swelling percentage was found to be function of solubility of drug and PVP K-30. The mucoadhesive strength, vapour transmission and in-vitro release of water soluble drug through water insoluble chitosan base matrix were found satisfactorily. All the fabricated patches were able to sustain for 6 hrs and the optimized formulation obeyed Korsmeyer-Peppas release kinetics. The physical appearance of patch was examined by scanning electron microscopy.