European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

MUCOADHESIVE BUCCAL FILMS FOR ORAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: A REVIEW

B. Premkumar*, D. Dhachinamoorthi, K. S. Sachin

ABSTRACT

Mucoadhesive buccal films are an advanced drug delivery system that adheres to the buccal mucosa, enabling controlled drug release directly into the systemic circulation while bypassing hepatic first-pass metabolism and gastrointestinal degradation. They offer improved bioavailability, rapid onset of action, enhanced patient compliance, ease of administration, and the option to discontinue therapy by removing the film. Their performance depends on the appropriate selection of mucoadhesive polymers, plasticizers, permeation enhancers, and other excipients. Buccal films are commonly prepared using techniques such as solvent casting, hot-melt extrusion, and semisolid casting, followed by evaluation of their mechanical, physicochemical, mucoadhesive, and drug release properties. Recent advances in polymer science and nanotechnology have expanded their application for delivering peptides, proteins, vaccines, and poorly bioavailable drugs. This review highlights the anatomy of the buccal mucosa, mechanisms of mucoadhesion, formulation strategies, manufacturing methods, evaluation parameters, therapeutic applications, recent developments, challenges, and future prospects of mucoadhesive buccal films as an effective oral drug delivery platform.

Keywords: Mucoadhesion, Buccal film, Buccal drug delivery, Oral mucosa, Mucoadhesive polymers, Controlled drug delivery, Permeation enhancers.