Directly compressible medicated chewing gum formulation for quick relief from common cold

INTRODUCTION: 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. Anti-allergic, cetirizine (CTZ) is a BCS class-I (highly soluble and highly permeable) non-sedating antihistaminic drug and this study was based on the hypothesis that CTZ as a BCS class I drug 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. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study mainly focuses on taste masking of CTZ by inclusion complexation method, its formulation development in the MCG form and its quality and performance evaluation with the study of potential factors affecting drug release by 3(2) full factorial experimental design. A “chew out” study is carried out to assess in vivo drug release from MCG, in which residual amount is extracted from the chewed sample. RESULTS: 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 flavors play a very essential character in its sensory properties. CONCLUSION: Interindividual 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.