DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF TIZANIDINE BUCCAL MUCOADHESIVE PATCHES: A NOVEL APPROACH TO IMPROVE SYSTEMIC DELIVERY VIA BUCCAL MUCOADHESIVE SYSTEMS

The study focuses on the design and evaluation of tizanidine buccal mucoadhesive patches as a novel approach to improve systemic drug delivery. Tizanidine exhibits low oral bioavailability due to extensive first-pass metabolism, making the buccal route a suitable alternative for enhanced absorption. The patches were prepared using polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) by the solvent casting method and evaluated for various physicochemical and mechanical properties, including thickness, tensile strength, swelling index, and drug content uniformity. In-vitro release studies demonstrated controlled drug release ranging from 71% to 97% within 90 minutes, following diffusion-controlled kinetics. In-vivo studies in rabbits and human volunteers confirmed improved drug absorption and a good correlation with in-vitro results. Overall, the findings suggest that buccal mucoadhesive patches provide a promising and effective alternative to oral delivery, offering enhanced bioavailability, controlled release, and improved therapeutic outcomes.