Current status and the future of buccal drug delivery systems.
BACKGROUND
The delivery of drugs through the buccal mucosa has received a great deal of attention over the last two decades, and yet there are not many buccal delivery products available on the market.


OBJECTIVE
This review outlines the advantages and disadvantages of buccal drug delivery, provides a historical perspective and discusses representative developmental and marketed drugs.


METHODS
The structure of the oral mucosa is briefly described to preface a description of the pathways for drug absorption and a critical discussion of permeation experiments. A brief historical perspective followed by a description of some of the currently marketed products provides a picture of where we are today. An indication is given of likely progress in this area and of the attributes of a successful business entity of the future.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors provide an assessment of the future potential of buccal and sublingual drugs.
Pather
S Indiran
SI
Pharmaceutics California Northstate College of Pharmacy, 10811 International Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, USA.
Rathbone
Michael J
MJ
Senel
Sevda
S
D000042:Absorption; D000269:Adhesives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000278:Administration, Buccal; D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005079:Excipients / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D010539:Permeability
D000269:Adhesives; D005079:Excipients