DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MUCOADHESIVE PATCHES FOR BUCCAL DELIVERY OF PREGABALIN

Objective: Pregabalin is a structural analogue of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) having short halflife (5-6 hrs) and is used in the management of epilepsy. The aim of this study was to prepare a buccal patch containing Pregabalin by the means of solvent casting method. Methods: Six formulations were prepared using different ratio of polymers including HPMC K4M, Eudragit RL, and PVP K30. Franz diffusion cell with commercially available dialysis membrane was used for the in-vitro diffusion study of buccal patches for duration of 12 hrs. Kinetics and mechanism of drug release from all formulation was evaluated on the basis of zero order, first order, Hixon-Crowell, Higuchi equation and Peppas model. Results: The thickness of formulated patches varied from 0.48±0.25 to 0.52±0.09 mm. The average weight of patch from each batch ranges from 0.25±0.42 to 0.38±0.09. Percentage drug release for the formulations F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 and F6 was found to be 45.32, 61.2, 76.43, 93.76, 82.48 and 55.62% respectively in a study of 12 hrs. Conclusion: Study concludes that Pregabalin can be delivered in an efficient way in mucoadhesive patches form. Based on different parameters buccal patches of batch F4 (HPMC K4M and Eudragit RL 100) was found to an optimum formulation.