Formulation and Evaluation of Mouth Dissolving Film of Artemether

Abstract

The fast-dissolving dosage form has emerged as an innovative drug delivery system offering enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improved bioavailability, and greater formulation stability while reducing the frequency of administration. By bypassing first-pass metabolism, it enables more efficient systemic absorption. This system facilitates rapid drug uptake through the pre-gastric region, leading to a quicker onset of action. The present study was designed to develop and evaluate mouth-dissolving films (MDF) of Artemether for the prevention and treatment of malaria. The films were formulated using the solvent casting method and evaluated for disintegration time, wetting time, percent drug release, and folding endurance. The optimized formulation exhibited a short disintegration time of 17.33±0.94 seconds, a high dissolution rate of 91±1.63%, and satisfactory physicochemical characteristics. These findings indicate that the developed MDF represents a promising and patient-friendly dosage form capable of enhancing drug delivery, accomplish faster therapeutic action, and improving treatment compliance.