Formulation and Evaluation of Medicated Chewing gum consisting of Dextromethorphan and Guaifenesin for the treatment of cough

Abstract

Common cold is the most frequently recurring disease in the world and is a leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work. Cold reliever medicated chewing gum (MCG) will be a definitive patient acceptable solution for this condition. Dextromethorphan hydrobromide and guaifenesin will be easily released from chewing gum into the salivary fluid within few minutes of chewing and can be easily permeated from oral mucosa by the pressure created by the chewing action and absorbed to a larger extent into the systemic circulation. Therefore, ultimately patients will get quick relief from symptoms of common cold with greater compliance compared to other conventional dosage forms. This study mainly focuses on taste masking of dextromethorphan hydrobromide and guaifenesin with Kyron T-114, its formulation development in the MCG form and its quality and performance evaluation with the study of potential factors affecting drug release by 32 full factorial experimental design. Formulation ingredients, such as elastomers, softeners, bulking agents, play an important role in the feel of the final product and its consistency; while sweeteners and flavours play a very essential character in its sensory properties. Inter individual variation in chewing frequency and chewing intensity is the main factor which affects release of active ingredient from MCG; while salivary dilution and involuntary swallowing are main reasons for variability in the absorption site, i.e., either from buccal mucosa or from gastrointestinal tract.