Fabrication of topical film forming polymeric solution for pain management

Abstract

FFS were developed by varying the type and content of the film forming polymer. The resulting formulations were evaluated according to favorable film characteristics in vitro and ex vivo drug release profiles. Eudragit E100 was identified as a suitable release matrix for ketoprofen. In the case of diclofenac Na; however the ex vivo permeation study results failed to show a characteristic release profile for either the test formulation or the marketed formulation VOLTAREN® Gel. Nevertheless the presented work provided a rationalized way for the development and evaluation of FFS and investigated their potential as delivery systems for ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium. Polymeric film-forming solutions (FFSs) are novel and emerging drug delivery systems for topical application to the skin. In their simplest composition they constitute an active drug substance film-forming polymer and a volatile skin-tolerant solvent. When applied to the skin FFSs form a thin and transparent polymeric film shortly after solvent evaporation. Owing to their unique composition and formation mechanism these systems offer many superior advantages to the more conventional topical dosage forms. Thereby this work aimed to develop and characterize film forming solutions for the skin delivery of two of the most commonly used topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS); ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium