Interpolymer Complexation and its Effect on Bioadhesive Strength 6 Dissolution Characteristics of Buccal Drug Delivery Systems

During the process of development of mucoadhesive buccal delivery systems, interpolymer complex formation between carboxy vinyl polymer, which is similar to polyacrylic acid and other polymers as hydroxypropyl cellulose, carbopol-934, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyvinyl pyrrolidone was studied as a function of pH. It was observed that carbopol-934 shows strong complexation with polyvinyl pyrrolidone and hydroxypropyl cellulose, but very little with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. The degree of complexation is higher at acidic pH and decreases with an increase in pH. In further studies, when mucoadhesive buccal tablets were prepared using these polymer combinations, it was observed that the degree of complexation between the two polymers affected the rate and extent of drug release and also the bioadhesive strength of the tablets.