Orodispersible films: current trend and future potentials in individualized therapy

Orodispersible films (ODF) are single or multilayer sheets consisting an edible water-soluble polymer which rapidly liberates the loaded drug to provide a fine suspension or solution when placed in the buccal cavity without the need of water intake or mastication. Due to their peculiarities, ODF offer several advantages including ease of administration and improved compliance in the treatment of both local or systemic pathologies; moreover, ODF are suitable dosage forms for patients with restricted intake of water or uncooperative patients. On the other hands, the restricted formulation space allows only loading of potent active pharmaceutical ingredients or nutraceuticals; hence, not all molecules are suitable candidate for ODF formulation. ODF result also promising dosage forms for individualize therapy for subpopulation of patients with special needs, especially pediatric and geriatric. This review aims to provide an appraisal of key aspects of ODF formulation technologies, characterization, biopharmaceutical performance, and some regulatory issues, their position on the global pharmaceutical market and what the future holds for them in the individualized therapy.