Motion sickness chewing gum gives platform for active ingredient formulation – researchers
Mohsen Sadatrezaei of RoshaDarou Co. et al added motion sickness drug dimenhydrinate to gum and were able to mask off-notes from the active ingredient.
They say that the dimenhydrinate formulation had high commercial value and the method used could help manufactures to incorporate other functional ingredients into gum that usually give off-flavors.
Masking flavor
"The main challenge in delivering drugs through chewing gum is masking the bitter taste of its active ingredient," said Sadatrezaei.
"We have formulated dimenhydrinate as chewing gum with acceptable taste and sensory attributes.”
“Dimenhydrinate is among the best drug candidates for treatment of motion sickness, providing a comfortable and acceptable drug delivery,” he continued.
What’s the method?
The researchers used a ‘direct compression method’ that is relatively new for medicated gum formulation.
“Comparing with traditional melting method, it has an easier procedure and it doesn’t challenge the heat resistance of the active pharmaceutical ingredient,” said the researchers.
The researchers masked the bitter taste of dimenhydrinate by granulating it and adding the acrylic polymer Eudragit and methyl salicylate as taste suppressing agents.
These granules were then added directly to a gum base and compressed using single punch compression machine.
Surveyed volunteers deemed the taste acceptable.
“This easy and efficient taste masking method could be also tried on other active pharmaceutical ingredients for the purpose of making eligible chewing gums,” said the researchers.
Cures motion sickness faster – researchers
Sadatrezaei claimed that the gum his team created alleviates motion sickness faster than conventional solutions by quicker absorption through the cheek. He added that the delivery method will improve patient compliance.
Around 33% of people are vulnerable to mild motion sickness and 66% have more serve symptoms, according to the researchers.
The research was presented at the 2012 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Chicago, between October 14 and 18.
