LAUSR

Abstract Considering the advantages of orally disintegrating films as alternative pharmaceutical dosage forms, the objective of this work was to develop and evaluate different formulations of orally disintegrating films based on pre-gelatinised starch (%S) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (%HPMC), with suitable mechanical and disintegrating characteristics. The 90S:10HPMC, 80S:20HPMC and 70S:30HPMC formulations were selected by scanning electron microscopy for mechanical characterisation and disintegration. The increase of HPMC in the matrix reduced the tensile strength and caused the films to be less mucoadhesive. The films showed in vitro disintegration times of less than 30 s. During the in vivo disintegration, the formulation 80S:20HPMC presented the best sensation in the mouth, according to the tasters. The study showed the possibility of producing oral disintegrating films based on starch and HPMC, with the formulation 80S:20HPMC as the most suitable for further studies on the incorporation of active ingredients for oral release.