buccal drug delivery

Question 1

What is buccal administration?

Answer 1

Buccal administration delivers a drug through the buccal mucosa (inner cheek lining) for local or systemic effects, using tablets, patches, films, gels, or solutions.

Question 1

What are the advantages of buccal drug delivery?

Answer 1

High patient compliance, rapid onset, avoids first-pass metabolism, bypasses GI tract, suitable for unconscious patients, and can provide prolonged release.

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of buccal drug delivery?

Answer 2

Less permeable than sublingual, limited dose capacity (~50mg), drug loss from salivary clearance, requires quick adhesion, and limited to smaller drug molecules.

Question 3

What are key characteristics of buccal physiology?

Answer 3

The buccal mucosa is non-keratinized, highly vascularized, and covered by a mucus layer, which provides a lipoidal barrier but facilitates drug absorption due to its rich blood supply.

Question 4

How do drugs typically absorb via the buccal route?

Answer 4

Through transcellular diffusion (lipophilic molecules) or paracellular diffusion (hydrophilic molecules) depending on the drug’s properties.

Question 5

Name some factors that affect buccal drug absorption.

Answer 5

1. Contact time
2. salivary flow
3. dosage form
4. mucus layer
5. enzyme activity
6. epithelial barrier properties.

Question 6

What is mucoadhesion, and why is it important?

Answer 6

Mucoadhesion is the attachment of a drug carrier to the mucus layer, ensuring extended contact time for better absorption and effectiveness.

Question 7

What are the two main stages of mucoadhesion?

Answer 7

Contact Stage: Initial contact and adherence to the mucosa.

Consolidation Stage: Physical bonding with mucus through interactions like Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding.

Question 8

What strategies can enhance buccal drug delivery?

Answer 8

Use of mucoadhesive polymers, permeation enhancers, enzyme inhibitors, and drug solubility modifications (e.g., prodrugs).

Question 9

What are some common types of buccal dosage forms?

Answer 9

Tablets, patches, films, gels, and solutions, each formulated for specific release profiles and patient compliance.

Question 10

what are some excipients used in buccal drug formulations and their functions?

Answer 10

1. mucoadhesive agent :To aid in adhesion between dosage form and mucosa.
2. extended release agent: forms matrix on hydration, reducing drug dissolution.
3. enzyme inhibitor: reduces enzyme degradation.
4. penetration enhancer: increases absorption across mucosa into circulation.
5. binder: improve mechanical strength by binding particles.
6. lubricant: reduces friction between tablet and machine in manufacturing.

Question 11

How is drug flow controlled in buccal mucoadhesive systems?

Answer 11

Systems can be unidirectional (drug directed toward mucosa) or multidirectional, with unidirectional systems minimizing drug loss to saliva.

Question 12

What tests are used to evaluate buccal drug delivery systems?

Answer 12

1. Swelling studies
2. mucoadhesion tests
3. release studies
4. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) for drug-excipient interactions.

Question 13

What are the ideal characteristics of a buccal dosage form?

Answer 13

1. Rapid adhesion
2. controlled release
3. good permeability
4. patient compliance
5. non-irritating
6. small size
7. should not damage mucosa.

Question 14

list some advantages of buccal delivery

Answer 14

1. high compliance
2. doesnt require water
3. rapid onset/prolonged release
4. local or systemic delivery
5. avoids first pass hepatic metabolism
6. limited enzyme degradation
7. avoids GI tract

Question 15

disadvantages of buccal route

Answer 15

1. barrier properties of mucosa
2. salivary clearance(loss of drug)
3. choking hazard
4. smaller surface area than gi tract.
5. size/dose of dosage form limited to 50mg dose
6. requires rapid adhesion.