DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A BUCCOADHESIVE DOSAGE FORM OF OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE

A buccoadhesive system for the delivery of oxycodone hydrochloride to the oral mucosa was prepared from a colloidal solution of gelatin used as a bioadhesive agent. An in vitro method for measuring the adhesion of release system to a substrate was developed by employing a modifie d balance. The effects of thickness and of the presence of the drug on swelling and mucoadhesion properties were evaluated. The in vitro rel ease of the buccoadhesive formulation was studied by a USP paddle diss olution apparatus and the results were fitted to an empirical equation . In vivo compliance and permanence time in 10 healthy volunteers were estimated.