Design and Development of Terbutaline Sulphate Fast Mouth Dissolving Tablet

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes an associated increase in airway hyperreactivity leading to recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, especially at night and early in the morning. Terbutaline sulfate is a selective beta2 adrenergic agonist. It is highly selective for β2 adrenergic receptors and has a long-lasting effect. It is given for symptomatic relief of bronchospasm and obstructive airway disease. Terbutaline sulfate is effective when taken orally, subcutaneously, or by inhalation. Although effects are rapidly observed after inhalation, the use of inhaled sympathomimetic drugs is initially associated with possible tachyphylaxis of resistance to beta-agonists, cardiac arrhythmias due to β1-adrenergic receptor stimulation, and Freon propellants. Raised concerns about hypoxemia and arrhythmia due to fluorinated hydrocarbons in many patient groups, including the elderly, children, the mentally ill, and uncooperative or nauseous patients, have difficulty swallowing conventional dosage forms such as tablets. Swallowing conventional tablets is further hampered by conditions such as water unavailability, allergic reactions, and coughing fits. These problems can be overcome by developing rapidly disintegrating and dissolving tablet dosage forms for oral administration, as they dissolve in saliva and do not require water to be swallowed. When ingested, saliva serves to quickly dissolve the dosage form. A fast mouth dissolving tablet (FMDT) is an oral solid dosage form that dissolves rapidly when placed on the tongue, releasing a drug that dissolves or disperses in saliva and can be swallowed without the need for drinking water. Additionally, some of the saliva-soluble drugs from the mouth, throat, and esophagus are absorbed once saliva enters the stomach, increasing bioavailability by avoiding first-pass metabolism.