title: Mucoadhesive oral films: The potential for unmet needs.
abstract: Oral drug delivery is the most common route of drug administration. Nevertheless, there are some important limitations that reinforce the need for developing new drug delivery systems. Mucoadhesive oral films (MOF) are promising dosage forms that adhere to the oral mucosa and deliver the drug through it, which present several advantages. These include: bypassing the hepatic first pass effect, fast onset of action, ease of transportation and handling. The use of such dosage form is beneficial for drugs that have poor oral bioavailability and also for drugs that need to be rapidly absorbed. In spite of the known benefits, the number of marketed MOF is still quite small. This review explores the products under development and corresponding clinical trials in respect to their status, therapeutic indication, companies involved and technologies. In this way, it was possible to identify the preferred therapeutic indications, new research and market trends as well as future prospects of MOF. Moreover, it is reasonable to expect an increase in the number of products on the market due to their great potential to satisfy unmet medical needs.
authors: Bluepharma-Indústria Farmacêutica, S.A., São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-016 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: branca.silva@bluepharma.pt.
authors: Branca M A
authors: BM
authors: Silva
authors: Bluepharma-Indústria Farmacêutica, S.A., São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-016 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors: Ana Filipa
authors: AF
authors: Borges
authors: Bluepharma-Indústria Farmacêutica, S.A., São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-016 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors: Cláudia
authors: C
authors: Silva
authors: CEMUC, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Polo II, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors: Jorge F J
authors: JF
authors: Coelho
authors: Bluepharma-Indústria Farmacêutica, S.A., São Martinho do Bispo, 3045-016 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors: Sérgio
authors: S
authors: Simões
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D000278:Administration, Buccal; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004345:Drug Industry; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives
keywords: Buccal films; Migraines; Mucoadhesive films; Opioid dependence; Pain; Sublingual films