Mucoadhesion is a specific phenomenon of creating bonds during intimate contact between biological surfaces covered by a mucus layer and a mucoadhesive material. In recent years come to the forefront of interest in the pharmaceutical industry modern dosage forms based on this specific process. Films (discs, patches) composed of mucoadhesive polymers (cellulose derivatives, polyacrylates, polyoxyethylene, etc.) prepared by established methods (solvent casting, hot melt extrusion, etc.) could be perspective candidates for oral administration of many drugs due to their flexibility and comfortable use. In addition, they can circumvent the relatively short residence time of conventional oral dosage forms on the mucosa and provide a precisely measured drug dose to the application site. Moreover, they can also help to protect the wound surface, thus help to reduce pain and improve effectiveness of the therapy. The aim of this article is to give an overview about the principles of creation of mucoadhesive bonds and about novel dosage form - mucoadhesive films in terms of their composition, preparation and practical usage.
Keywords: oral mucosa mucoadhesion principles mucoadhesive dosage forms films patches discs.