Cyclodextrin-Modified Film Dosage Forms for Oral Candidiasis Treatment

Oral candidiasis is a common disease in patients with dry mouth. In this study, film dosage forms (FD) incorporating miconazole nitrate, an antifungal agent, were prepared with water-soluble polysaccharide and cyclodextrin (CD). The dissolution profiles of the drug from the FDs were investigated in limited dissolution medium. Soft films were obtained from sodium alginate containing 0.5% α-CD, β-CD, or γ-CD. Most FDs were easy to handle, though the film tearing resistance was lower than that of CD-free FDs. Addition of CD to the FD accelerated the drug dissolution rate. Interestingly, this phenomenon was also observed in FDs prepared with pullulan. In contrast, acceleration of the drug dissolution rate was not observed when CD polymer was added to the base solution. The initial drug dissolution rate was controllable by the amount of CD added to the FD. Therefore, FDs prepared with these materials are useful to treat oral candidiasis in patients with dry mouth syndrome.