Formulation and evaluation of fast disintegrating oral thin films of cinitapride hydrogen tartarate

Cintapride hydrogen tartarate is a gastro-prokinetic agent and antiulcer agent. It is a substituted benzamide which acts as 5HT1 & 5HT4 receptor agonist and 5HT2 receptor antagonist. In the present study, efforts were taken to develop Fast disintegrating oral thin films of Cinitapride hydrogen tartrate with an objective to achieve rapid disintegration, and further improving the bioavailability of the drug. Also, to resolve the swallowing problems (Dysphasia) in pediatric, geriatric patients by rapid disintegration in saliva and improve the patient compliance. Fast disintegrating oral thin films were prepared by solvent casting method using HPMC E 5, HPMC E 15 and PVP K90 as polymers. The prepared oral thin films were evaluated for thickness, Disintegration time, Dissolution time, Folding endurance, pH, Tensile strength of the film. Among the prepared formulations, the formulation (F1) showed better performance in terms of disintegration time and drug release when compared to other formulations.