Mucoadhesive buccal patch: A review

The buccal region within the oral cavity has emerged as a promising site for drug administration, offering a solution to the challenges associated with conventional oral drug delivery methods. This region is endowed with a rich network of blood vessels that directly channel blood into the jugular vein, effectively bypassing the liver and circumventing the first-pass effect. Consequently, drug compounds administered buccally exhibit a rapid onset of action, surpassing the efficiency of traditional oral routes. Moreover, this delivery method allows for the prompt removal of the dosage form when needed. Notably, buccal drug delivery is particularly advantageous for patients who are unconscious or have limited cooperation. Over the past decade, the development of mucoadhesive buccal patches has witnessed a remarkable upsurge due to their capacity to enhance the performance of a wide range of pharmaceutical compounds. Diverse mucoadhesive dosage forms, such as disks, patches, tablets, and ointments, have been innovatively designed in recent times. Among these, mucoadhesive buccal films stand out, offering superior flexibility and a multitude of benefits compared to their counterparts. This article provides a concise overview of the buccal drug delivery system, elucidates the mechanisms governing drug permeation in this context, and delineates the methodology and evaluation parameters associated with this innovative drug delivery approach.