ORAL DELIVERY OF ZOLMITRIPTAN LOADED FAST DISINTEGRATING FILM: FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT, STATISTICAL OPTIMIZATION, IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO EVALUATION

Introduction: Fast dissolving film technology has been developed out as a alternative drug delivery system that gives an exception advantage for taking medications. Objective: The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate the Zolmitriptan loaded fast disintegrating oral film by solvent casting method. Material and methods:  A preliminary study was conducted to select a suitable film forming polymer and plasticiser concentration.The formulation was optimized with the help of 22 factorial designs in which polymer and plasticizer concentration at two levels was taken as independent factors and disintegration time, tensile strength and % elongation were taken as dependent factors. The optimized formulation OP1 was subjected to stability study as per the ICH guidelines at 40 ± 0.50C / 75 ± 5% RH for six months. In vivo studies were conducted on Wister albino rats and concentration of drug in blood was analysed by HPLC technique. Various pharmacokinetic parameters for OP1 were determined and compared with reference formulation (drug sol.). Result and Discussion: For optimized formulation various parameters were found to be in acceptable range and it was stable under specified conditions. The value of AUC0–t (ng h/ml), AUC0–∞ (ng h/ml) of the OP1 was found to be 723.91± 84.21, 770.90 ± 104.32, respectively, for the drug sol 468.56 ± 79.36, 500.37 ± 95.43 respectively. Relative bioavailability of OP1 was 1.55 time than that of drug sol. Conclusion: The formulation not only increases the bioavailability of drug but also produce the quick action for the migraine patients.