A rheological method to predict mucoadhesion between dosage form excipients and human saliva

Mucoadhesive polymers have been increasingly used as functional coatings to enhance and targeted drug delivery through mucosal tissue. Yet, the usage of mucoadhesive polymers in film-coating formulations can lead to unintended esophageal adhesion causing swallowing discomfort and oro-esophageal adverse reactions. The incidence of swallowing disorders in the older population has raised the attention to the development of oral forms that can be safely swallowed. Suitable film-coating polymers are suggested to improve swallowing of solid dosage forms. This experimental work evaluated the mucoadhesive potential of different pharmaceutical excipients, through the study of its interaction with human artificial saliva by means of a rheological method.