CHEWING GUM AS A DRUG-DELIVERY SYSTEM

The potential of chewing gum as a drug delivery system together with d ifferent formulation principles and methods of assessment are discusse d in this article. The release of a drug from chewing gum is dependent upon its water solubility. Water-soluble substances are released rapi dly and completely from chewing gum and methods are available which re tard their release from chewing gum to provide an extended release pro file. Slightly water-soluble drugs are released slowly and incompletel y from chewing gum and require special formulation techniques to produ ce a satisfactory release profile. Studies evaluating the potential ap plication of medicated and non-medicated chewing gum in the treatment of local diseases in the oral cavity are described. Specific examples of the use of chewing gum as a delivery system for dental health, smok ing cessation and antifungal therapy are cited. Few drugs are suitable candidates for incorporation into chewing gum formulations for the in tention of their systemic delivery. Know-how derived from the developm ent and manufacture of already existing medicated and non-medicated ch ewing gum, supplemented with today's knowledge of the principles of ph armaceutical formulation, constitute the basis for the development of the medicinal chewing gum of tomorrow.