DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF FAST DISSOLVING ORAL FILM CONTAINING ARIPIPRAZOLE

The present investigation was aimed with the objective of developing fast dissolving oral films of Aripiprazole to attain quick onset of action for the better management of Schizophrenia. Fourteen formulations (F1-F14) of Aripiprazole mouth dissolving films by solvent-casting method using HPMC E5, HPMC E15, Maltodextrin, PG and PVA. Formulations were evaluated for their physical characteristics, thickness, folding endurance, tensile strength, disintegration time, drug content uniformity and drug release characteristics and found to be within the limits. Among the prepared formulations F13 showed minimum disintegration time 10 sec, maximum drug was released i.e. 99.49 ± 0.36% of drug within 8 min when compared to the other formulations and finalized as optimized formulation. FTIR data revealed that no interactions take place between the drug and polymers used in the optimized formulation. The in vitro dissolution profiles of marketed product and optimized formulation was compared and found to be the drug released was 20.73 ± 0.25 after 8 min. Therefore, it can be a good alternative to conventional Aripiprazole for immediate action. In vitro evaluation of the Aripiprazole fast dissolving oral films confirmed their potential as an innovative dosage form to improve delivery and quick onset of action of Aripiprazole. The mouth dissolving film is potentially useful for the treatment of Schizophrenia where the quick onset of action is desired.