SOFTs – Structured orodispersible film templates

Abstract

Orodispersible films (ODFs) have a high potential to accelerate the individualized medication. The films can be produced as drug-free templates and subsequently printed with an API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) solution or suspension according to the needs of the patient. While the printing technology already enables a precise dosing of fluids, there is still a high need of suitable, edible templates with elevated loading capacity. The structured orodispersible film templates (SOFTs) developed in this study should overcome this void. The SOFTs are pervaded with pores to realize a high API load into the film structure and possess a closed bottom side to prevent the printed fluids to pass through the film. They consist of a water-soluble cellulose derivative and are produced with the solvent casting method.This study focused on the influence of the formulation of the film casting mass on the film properties, like porosity and disintegration time due to changed pore sizes and numbers. Due to the porous film structure a mass load of up to 6.1 mg cm−2 could be realized already in SOFTs, but, higher loads are feasible. The mechanical film properties could further be improved by additional matrix material in the suspension formulation, also inhibiting particle agglomeration and aggregation during the drying process, and positively influencing the dissolution behavior of the applied nanoparticles. An application of a protection layer on top of the loaded SOFTs improves the handling safety by inhibiting contact to the API and it prevents a removal of the particles from the film surface.