ABSTRACT

Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is a glucocorticoid commonly used for the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP). To avoid extensive first pass metabolism and to prolong the duration of its action with a reduction in dosing frequency, buccal adhesive discs of TA were evaluated. A bilayered bioadhesive buccal dosage disc containing TA was chosen. The discs were prepared by adding a 3:1 combination of chitosan polymer, which has adhesive properties, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K4M) or Carbopol 934P (C934P). Beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) was used to improve the solubility of the TA. The experiments performed on the discs were radius thickness, homogeneity, surface pH, swelling index (SI) determination, and in vitro active ingredient secretion. Based on the study results, the T1 coded formulation containing chitosan and HPMC K4M was determined to be the best, achieving the highest effective active ingredient release and an acceptable level of swelling properties. This indicates that the formulation can be a good alternative to the dosage forms currently used in the topical treatment of OLP.