Methylphenidate Fast Dissolving Films: Development, Optimization Using Simplex Centroid Design and In Vitro Characterization.

Objectives: The focus of this study was to design and optimize methylphenidate hydrochloride mouth dissolving film (MDF) that can be beneficial in an acute condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Materials and methods: Solvent casting method was used for the preparation of this film. Optimization of the effect of independent variables such as the number of polymers and active pharmaceutical ingredients [hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) E5, HPMC E15, and maltodextrin], % of drug release, disintegration time, and tensile strength of the film done using simplex centroid design. Complex formation of the film was tested using fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry study. The multiple regression analysis was obtained from equations of the results that adequately describe influence of the independent variables on the selected responses. Polynomial regression analysis, contour plots, and 3-D surface plots were used to relate dependent and independent variables.

Results: Experimental results indicated that different polymer amounts had complex effects on % drug release from the film, disintegration time as well as the tensile strength of the film. The observed responses were in near alignment with expected values calculated from the developed regression equations as shown by percentage relative error. Final formulation showed more than 95% drug release within 2 min and was shown to disintegrate within a minute that had good tensile strength.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that MDF containing methylphenidate hydrochloride is likely to become a choice of methylphenidate hydrochloride preparations for treatment in ADHD and narcolepsy conditions.