LAUSR

Abstract The objective of this work was to prepare and evaluate fast dissolving sublingual films containing meloxicam nanocrystals (MLX-NS-FDSFs). Nanocrystals (NS) were utilized to allow for improved dissolution of the drug, whereas the films were used to shorten the onset of action via the sublingual route. Meloxicam nanocrystals (MLX-NS) were prepared by nanoprecipitation based on acid-base neutralization method and then encapsulated into the films by solvent casting method. The obtained FDSFs exhibited uniform thickness of 82 ± 8 μm and drug content of 7.38 ± 0.011 mg/film (4 cm2) and disintegrated rapidly in 23.08 ± 1.76 s. The MLX-NS-FDSFs with reconstituted particle size of 196.4 ± 6.3 nm showed faster dissolution rate in vitro than the MLX coarse suspension based films (MLX-CS-FDSFs). The SEM images and XRD indicated that MLX nanocrystals were highly dispersed into the films. After administrated to rats, Tmax of MLX was significantly shortened following sublingual administration of MLX-NS-FDSFs. The absorption of MLX from MLX-NS-FDSFs resulted in 3.00 fold increased in bioavailability as compared to MLX-CS-FDSFs and 4.34 times with reference to the MLX-CS. These results indicated that the NS-FDSFs could be a promising delivery system to enhance the dissolution and shorten the onset time of MLX.