Development and evaluation of novel buccoadhesive wafers of nimodipine for treatment of hypertension

Buccoadhesive wafers (BW) containing Nimodipine (N) were prepared using the solvent casting method. Chitosan lactate was used as the mucoadhesive polymer with different ratios to PVP K-30 in preparation of the sustained release layer. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose low viscosity (SCMC LV) in different ratios with Eudragit-RS30D was used in preparation of the immediate release layer of (BW). The wafers were tested for their physical characteristics, ex vivo mucoadhesion strength, ex vivo mucoadhesion time, in vitro drug release, and in vitro permeation and in vivo bioavailability studies. Wafers exhibited controlled release for 7 h. The mechanism of drug release was found to be non-Fickian diffusion and followed by first-order kinetics. Thus, BW of N could be an alternative route to bypass the hepatic first-pass metabolism and to improve the bioavailability of N.