Buccoadhesive Drug Delivery System : Need 1

The present article focuses on the principles of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems based on adhesion to biological surfaces that are covered by mucus. Over the last few decade’s pharmaceutical scientists throughout the world are trying to explore transdermal and transmucosal routes as an alternative to injections. Among the various transmucosal sites available, mucosa of the buccal cavity was found to be the most convenient and easily accessible site for the delivery of therapeutic agents for both local and systemic delivery as retentive dosage forms, because it has expanse of smooth muscle which is relatively immobile, abundant vascularization, rapid recovery time after exposure to stress and the near absence of langerhans cells. Direct access to the systemic circulation through the internal jugular vein bypasses drugs from the hepatic first pass metabolism leading to high bioavailability. This article reviews current status of various buccal bioadhesive dosage forms such as tablets, patches, hydrogels and films and describes the strategies to improve permeation of drugs through the Buccal mucosa.